🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump has yet again declared he would influence FIFA to relocate upcoming World Cup matches from a host city based on municipal politics, with Massachusetts becoming the most recent urban area to receive such statements from the White House. Furthermore, Trump remarked he would evaluate comparable measures against Southern California for the 2028 Olympics due to possible security concerns.

Jurisdictional Limits and Potential Influence

Even though Trump lacks official jurisdiction to directly relocate either tournament, he can exert influence the international organizations managing each event to move host cities.

Background of Comments

These remarks were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was at the White House following the announcement of a $20 billion bailout for the South American economy. Toward the conclusion of the meeting, a reporter inquired Trump about a latest “street takeover” in downtown Boston where law enforcement were attacked and a patrol car was set on fire. The reporter also asked if such events could cause the removal of organizing rights for the expanded soccer tournament.

“It's possible to take them away,” the former president stated concerning the World Cup games, planned to be staged at the Massachusetts arena. “The city's leader is poor … they're far-left, and activists are dominating areas of downtown. That is a significant statement, don't you think?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven trend where participants assemble on public avenues late at night to engage in dangerous driving, have become a repeated problem in American cities since the lockdown restrictions. Latest incidents have turned violent in Massachusetts, including downtown. Yet, these gatherings are generally not seen as tied to any distinct political ideology.

“When someone is doing a bad job, and I feel exist dangerous circumstances, I would call Gianni [Infantino], who is excellent, and say let’s move it to a different city,” he commented during the event. “And he would do that. He may not enjoy the action, but he’d do it. Very easily, he would.”

Political Connections

The organization's head has publicly acknowledged his efforts to be visibly associated with the former president prior to the 2026 event, scheduled to be staged in 11 cities across the America along with several in Canada and three in Mexico. The FIFA president has appeared at multiple White House functions, facilitated Trump present the club tournament cup after the concluding game, and has even delayed his the group's assembly to join Trump on a journey to the Arab region this year.

Previous Threats

Despite this, Trump from suggesting the removal of World Cup matches from additional American venues. Recently, Seattle and San Francisco faced parallel statements, with Trump asserting both locations were “run by radical left lunatics who lack understanding what they’re doing,” while questioning the safety level of both cities and suggesting that matches could be removed.

FIFA Response

FIFA vice-president Montagliani dismissed Trump’s claims when he commented days later at a event in England.

“It is FIFA’s tournament, under our authority, the organization determines such choices,” the vice-president declared. “Politely to national heads, the sport is more important than them and the game will outlast their administration and their policies. It's the essence of football, that it is bigger than a single person and beyond a nation.”

LA Games Warning

Similarly, Trump’s response to a question about the Massachusetts city extended to a similar threat regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“If I perceived LA was failing to be prepared properly, I will shift it to a different city if I had to,” he remarked. “Regarding that event I may have to obtain a different kind of consent, but we'd do that.”

Any approval Trump alluded to would need to come through the IOC. The head, the newly elected president, was elected to her role in this year and has not yet hold a public appearance with Trump, but she said that she would like a sit-down with Trump at eventually.

Additional Criticism

He also questioned California governor Newsom’s handling of the California fires, remarking that a comparable scenario could result in the removal of the Games.

“When the governor refuses to cooperate, we are going to have to be very tough,” he stated.

His message was equally direct for the Massachusetts city.

“The city better clean up their act,” he said. “That’s all I will say.”