🔗 Share this article Trump Threatens Pulling of World Cup Matches from Boston, Olympic Games from Los Angeles Former President Trump has yet again announced he would pressure FIFA to pull upcoming World Cup matches from a designated city based on that city's governance, with Massachusetts now being the most recent targeted location to receive such statements from the American leader. Furthermore, Trump remarked he would evaluate similar action against Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics due to potential safety issues. Jurisdictional Limits and Possible Pressure Although Trump holds no official jurisdiction to directly relocate either competition, he may exert influence the organizing committees overseeing each event to change locations. Context of Remarks His remarks were made during a news conference with Argentina's leader Milei, who was visiting the executive mansion following the announcement of a multibillion-dollar rescue package for the Argentine economy. Toward the conclusion of the gathering, a journalist questioned Trump about a recent public disturbance in downtown Boston where authorities were targeted and a patrol car was set on fire. The correspondent also wondered if these incidents could lead to the revocation of hosting duties for the larger football competition. “We could take them away,” he said regarding the FIFA World Cup games, scheduled to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “The city's leader is poor … they're radical left, and they are occupying parts of Boston. That is a significant assertion, don't you think?” Urban Disturbances and Political Context Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven phenomenon where participants assemble on urban roads late at night to engage in dangerous driving, have been a ongoing nuisance in metropolitan centers since the lockdown restrictions. Current such gatherings have escalated into violence in the state, notably in downtown. However, these gatherings are usually not considered tied to any particular ideological group. “When a mayor is doing a bad job, and I feel exist dangerous circumstances, I would call the FIFA head, who is excellent, and tell him it should be shifted to a different city,” Trump said publicly. “He will do that. He might not prefer doing it, but he’d do it. Without hesitation, he’d do it.” Political Connections Gianni Infantino has been open his strategies to be visibly associated with Trump prior to the 2026 event, planned to be staged in 11 cities across the United States along with several in Canada and multiple in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has participated at several Oval Office events, facilitated Trump hand over the club tournament trophy after the championship match, and has even postponed his FIFA's internal meeting to travel with Trump on a visit to the Arab region earlier in 2025. Past Statements This has not stopped, Trump from suggesting the cancellation of soccer events from other US host cities. On September 25, the Washington city and San Francisco faced similar comments, with Trump claiming both urban centers were “run by radical left lunatics who don’t know what they are doing,” while criticizing the public safety of both cities and suggesting that events could be removed. FIFA Response FIFA vice-president Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s statements when he reacted days later at a gathering in London. “It is FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes such choices,” Montagliani said. “With all due respect to national heads, football is transcends any individual and soccer will endure their administration and their government. That’s the beauty of this sport, that it is transcends one leader and more important than any country.” LA Games Warning Similarly, Trump’s reply to a query about Boston included a comparable warning regarding the LA Olympic event. “When I perceived Los Angeles was not sufficiently organized, I would move it to another location as needed,” he said. “Regarding that event I’d probably have to get a different kind of permission, but we will do that.” Any approval Trump alluded to would need to come through the IOC. The head, she, was chosen to her post in spring and has yet to meet publicly with the former president, but she said that she desires a discussion with Trump at a future time. Other Remarks He also criticized the state's leader Newsom’s management of this year’s blazes, saying that a similar situation could lead to the removal of the Games. “When the governor doesn’t play ball, we will have to be strict,” Trump commented. The warning was equally direct for the Massachusetts city. “Boston must address these issues,” he remarked. “That is my message.”