Trump Threatens Relocation of World Cup Matches from Boston, 2028 Olympics from LA

Donald Trump has once again declared he would influence FIFA to remove global soccer tournament games from a designated city based on municipal political climate, with the Boston region becoming the latest such city to encounter such threats from the White House. Moreover, Trump suggested he would evaluate comparable measures against Los Angeles for the 2028 Summer Games due to potential public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Informal Leverage

While Trump does not have official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either event, he is able to lobby the respective governing bodies managing each tournament to shift host cities.

Setting for Statements

The statements were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was at the executive mansion following the announcement of a multibillion-dollar rescue package for the Argentine nation. Toward the end of the event, a media member inquired Trump about a recent unauthorized gathering in downtown Boston where law enforcement were targeted and a patrol car was burned. The correspondent also questioned if the situation could result in the removal of organizing rights for the expanded World Cup.

“I would take them away,” the former president stated concerning the soccer matches, scheduled to be staged at the Massachusetts arena. “Their mayor is poor … they're far-left, and they’re occupying parts of Boston. That’s a pretty big assertion, right?”

Street Takeovers and Public Safety Concerns

Public disruptions, a social media-driven occurrence where participants gather on city streets after dark to engage in dangerous driving, have become a ongoing problem in metropolitan centers since the lockdown shutdowns. Latest similar events have turned violent in the state, specifically in downtown. However, these occurrences are typically not regarded as associated with any specific political ideology.

“If a city is doing a bad job, and I perceive exist security risks, I'd call Gianni [Infantino], who is outstanding, and tell him let’s move it to an alternate venue,” the former president stated during the event. “And he would do that. He wouldn’t love doing it, but he would comply. Very easily, he would.”

FIFA Relationship

The organization's head has made no secret his attempts to be closely connected with the former president before the 2026 event, scheduled to be staged in 11 cities across the United States along with a couple in the northern neighbor and a few in Mexico. The FIFA president has appeared at several presidential events, had Trump hand over the FIFA club cup after the championship match, and has even delayed his the group's assembly to join Trump on a visit to the Arab region previously.

Earlier Warnings

Nevertheless, Trump from threatening the relocation of World Cup games from additional American venues. On September 25, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis came under parallel statements, with Trump asserting both cities were “governed by far-left extremists who lack understanding what they are doing,” while criticizing the safety level of both cities and implying that games could be relocated.

Organizational Statement

Victor Montagliani rejected Trump’s statements when he commented subsequently at a conference in the UK capital.

“This is the organization's event, under our authority, we decide these matters,” the vice-president stated. “With all due respect to current world leaders, football is more important than any individual and soccer will survive their administration and their policies. That is the strength of football, that it is more significant than any individual and more important than a nation.”

2028 Comments

During the event, Trump’s response to a inquiry about the Massachusetts city veered into a parallel statement regarding the LA Olympic event.

“In case I perceived the city was failing to be adequately ready, I would relocate it to a different city if necessary,” he said. “Regarding that event I’d probably have to obtain a alternative consent, but we would take that action.”

Any approval Trump refers to would must come through the IOC. The head, Kirsty Coventry, was selected to her role in spring and has not yet hold a public appearance with him, but she indicated that she would like a sit-down with him at a future time.

Other Remarks

The former president also criticized California governor Newsom’s response of this year’s California fires, stating that a parallel incident could result in the cancellation of the Games.

“In case Newsom refuses to cooperate, we’re gonna have to be very tough,” Trump stated.

His statement was similarly clear for Boston.

“They should improve their situation,” Trump stated. “It's my message.”