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

Ex-president Trump has once again stated he would pressure FIFA to remove global soccer tournament matches from a designated city based on the local political climate, with Massachusetts becoming the latest targeted location to receive such warnings from the American leader. Moreover, Trump indicated he would evaluate parallel steps against LA for the 2028 Summer Games due to potential public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Potential Influence

While Trump holds no formal power to personally cancel either event, he can apply pressure the organizing committees overseeing each event to move venues.

Background of Comments

His statements were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was at the White House following the announcement of a multibillion-dollar bailout for the Argentine economy. Near the end of the event, a media member asked Trump about a current “street takeover” in downtown Boston where law enforcement were attacked and a patrol car was set on fire. The journalist also asked if the situation could cause the removal of organizing rights for the 48-team football competition.

“I would take them away,” the former president stated about the World Cup games, set to be held at Gillette Stadium. “She is poor … they're extremist, and activists are occupying sections of the city. That’s a major assertion, don't you think?”

Street Takeovers and Ideological Perceptions

Public disruptions, a online-fueled phenomenon where groups of people gather on public avenues late at night to perform stunts, have emerged as a ongoing issue in metropolitan centers since the lockdown restrictions. Latest such gatherings have escalated into violence in the region, specifically in the city. However, these events are usually not considered associated with any distinct partisan agenda.

“When someone is doing a bad job, and I feel exist dangerous circumstances, I'd call the organization's president, who is excellent, and suggest we should relocate it to an alternate venue,” Trump commented during the event. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy to do it, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he’d do it.”

Political Connections

FIFA President has publicly acknowledged his strategies to be closely connected with the former president prior to the upcoming World Cup, planned to be staged in numerous American venues across the US along with a couple in Canada and three in Mexico. The organization's leader has participated at multiple presidential events, had Trump hand over the Club World Cup award after that tournament’s final, and has even postponed his FIFA's internal meeting to join Trump on a visit to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

Despite this, Trump from suggesting the cancellation of soccer matches from additional American venues. On September 25, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis were comparable statements, with Trump claiming both locations were “governed by radical left lunatics who don’t know what they’re doing,” while criticizing the public safety of both cities and claiming that matches could be removed.

Organizational Statement

FIFA vice-president Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he commented afterward at a conference in England.

“It’s the organization's event, FIFA’s jurisdiction, the organization determines these matters,” he said. “Respectfully to sitting presidents, football is transcends political figures and the game will endure their administration and their government. That’s the essence of football, that it is bigger than a single person and bigger than a nation.”

LA Games Warning

On Tuesday, Trump’s response to a inquiry about Boston veered into a parallel statement regarding the LA Olympic event.

“If I thought the city was failing to be sufficiently organized, I will move it to an alternate venue if necessary,” he remarked. “For the Olympics I might have to secure a alternative consent, but we will take that action.”

The permission Trump mentioned would need to come via the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their head, she, was elected to her position in this year and has so far not meet publicly with him, though she stated that she hopes for a meeting with Trump at some point.

Additional Criticism

The former president also condemned the state's leader Newsom’s handling of the California fires, saying that a similar situation could result in the relocation of the Olympics.

“If he is uncooperative, we are going to have to be strict,” the former president commented.

His message was just as clear for the Massachusetts city.

“They better clean up their act,” he said. “It's my message.”