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Ex-president Trump has once again stated he would pressure FIFA to relocate 2026 World Cup games from a venue based on municipal political climate, with the Boston region emerging as the most recent urban area to encounter such statements from the American leader. Moreover, Trump indicated he would contemplate parallel steps against LA for the 2028 Summer Games due to possible safety issues.

Official Power and Potential Influence

Even though Trump lacks formal power to directly relocate either event, he may exert influence the organizing committees in charge of each event to shift venues.

Background of Comments

The statements were made during a press event with Javier Milei, who was at the White House following the revelation of a $20 billion bailout for the Latin American nation. Near the end of the event, a media member questioned Trump about a current “street takeover” in the city where authorities were attacked and a cruiser was ignited. The reporter also asked if the situation could lead to the revocation of hosting duties for the larger soccer tournament.

“I would take them away,” he stated about the FIFA World Cup matches, planned to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “The city's leader is not good … they're radical left, and activists are taking over parts of Boston. That is a pretty big assertion, right?”

Urban Disturbances and Political Context

Public disruptions, a social media-driven phenomenon where large crowds gather on public avenues after dark to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have been a repeated nuisance in metropolitan centers since the coronavirus shutdowns. Current incidents have escalated into violence in Massachusetts, including downtown. However, these gatherings are generally not seen as linked to any specific political ideology.

“In cases where a mayor is performing poorly, and I believe exist unsafe conditions, I'd call the FIFA head, who is excellent, and suggest we should relocate it to a different city,” he said during the event. “And he would do that. He wouldn’t love doing it, but he’d do it. Without hesitation, he’d do it.”

FIFA Relationship

The organization's head has been open his attempts to be publicly aligned with the former president ahead of the 2026 event, planned to be staged in numerous American venues across the US along with a couple in the northern neighbor and three in Mexico. The FIFA president has been present at several White House events, arranged for Trump deliver the FIFA club cup after that tournament’s final, and has even rescheduled his the group's assembly to join Trump on a visit to the Middle East earlier in 2025.

Past Statements

This has not stopped, Trump from warning about the cancellation of FIFA World Cup matches from additional American venues. In late September, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis were similar comments, with Trump asserting both locations were “led by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they’re doing,” while questioning the public safety of both cities and implying that games could be relocated.

FIFA Response

Victor Montagliani rejected Trump’s assertions when he responded days later at a gathering in England.

“This is the organization's event, our responsibility, the organization determines such choices,” Montagliani declared. “Politely to national heads, soccer is transcends any individual and soccer will endure their regime and their policies. It's the strength of this sport, that it is transcends any individual and more important than individual states.”

Olympics Threat

During the event, Trump’s response to a inquiry about Boston veered into a parallel statement regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“If I thought LA was failing to be sufficiently organized, I'd move it to another location if I had to,” Trump stated. “On that one I may have to obtain a varying approval, but we will do that.”

Official consent Trump refers to would have to come through the IOC. Their head, Kirsty Coventry, was selected to her position in March and has not yet meet publicly with him, but she indicated that she hopes for a discussion with him at some point.

Further Comments

The former president also condemned California governor Newsom’s response of the California fires, remarking that a comparable scenario could cause the relocation of the Olympics.

“In case the governor doesn’t play ball, we’re gonna have to be very tough,” he commented.

The warning was equally clear for the Massachusetts city.

“They should address these issues,” he said. “That’s all my message.”