The former president Threatens Pulling of 2026 World Cup Games from the Boston area, Olympics from LA
Former President Trump has repeatedly announced he would pressure FIFA to pull upcoming World Cup events from a designated city based on the local governance, with Massachusetts now being the third urban area to face such statements from the US president. Additionally, Trump remarked he would evaluate similar action against Los Angeles for the 2028 Summer Games due to possible security concerns.
Jurisdictional Limits and Informal Leverage
While Trump holds no official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either competition, he is able to apply pressure the organizing committees managing each event to move host cities.
Setting for Statements
His comments were made during a media briefing with Argentina's leader Milei, who was present in the presidential residence following the disclosure of a multibillion-dollar rescue package for the Latin American country. At the close of the event, a media member questioned Trump about a current “street takeover” in the city where authorities were targeted and a patrol car was set on fire. The reporter also wondered if the situation could lead to the revocation of hosting duties for the larger soccer tournament.
“I would take them away,” Trump stated concerning the World Cup fixtures, set to be hosted at the Foxborough venue. “The city's leader is not good … she’s extremist, and they’re taking over parts of Boston. That’s a significant claim, isn't it?”
Public Gatherings and Ideological Perceptions
Street takeovers, a online-fueled trend where groups of people gather on city streets after dark to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have emerged as a ongoing nuisance in American cities since the coronavirus restrictions. Current similar events have turned violent in Massachusetts, specifically in Boston. Nevertheless, these occurrences are generally not considered associated with any distinct political ideology.
“If someone is doing a bad job, and I believe exist dangerous circumstances, I'd call the organization's president, who is outstanding, and tell him let’s move it to an alternate venue,” he commented on Tuesday. “He'd do that. He might not prefer the action, but he would comply. Very easily, he would.”
Organizational Alignment
FIFA President has been open his strategies to be publicly aligned with the US leader ahead of the 2026 event, planned to be organized in numerous American venues across the America along with two in Canada and three in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has been present at various presidential events, arranged for Trump present the FIFA club award after that tournament’s final, and has even delayed his FIFA's internal meeting to accompany Trump on a visit to the Arab region earlier in 2025.
Previous Threats
Despite this, Trump from threatening the relocation of World Cup games from different locations. In late September, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis were parallel comments, with Trump asserting both locations were “governed by ideological activists who lack understanding what they’re doing,” while criticizing the safety level of both areas and claiming that matches could be shifted.
Organizational Statement
The organization's deputy Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he reacted afterward at a gathering in the UK capital.
“It is our competition, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes such choices,” the vice-president said. “Respectfully to current world leaders, the sport is transcends them and football will outlast their regime and their government. That is the strength of football, that it is bigger than a single person and more important than individual states.”
LA Games Warning
Similarly, Trump’s response to a query about Boston extended to a comparable warning regarding the upcoming Summer Games.
“If I thought Los Angeles was not sufficiently organized, I'd relocate it to another location if necessary,” he remarked. “For the Olympics I might have to get a alternative consent, but we will do that.”
The permission Trump alluded to would must come via the Olympic governing body. Their leader, she, was selected to her position in this year and has yet to appear together with the former president, although she stated that she desires a sit-down with Trump at a future time.
Other Remarks
Trump also condemned the state's leader Newsom’s handling of the blazes, remarking that a parallel incident could result in the relocation of the Olympics.
“In case the governor doesn’t play ball, we’re gonna have to be strict,” he stated.
His statement was similarly clear for the Massachusetts city.
“They must improve their situation,” Trump stated. “That’s all I can say.”