Trump Suggests Removal of World Cup Matches from the Boston area, Olympics from LA
Donald Trump has once again stated he would urge FIFA to pull global soccer tournament games from a host city based on municipal politics, with Boston becoming the third urban area to face such threats from the American leader. Additionally, Trump indicated he would contemplate comparable measures against LA for the 2028 Summer Games due to potential public safety risks.
Jurisdictional Limits and Potential Influence
Even though Trump holds no direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either event, he may lobby the international organizations overseeing each event to change host cities.
Setting for Statements
These comments were made during a news conference with Argentina's leader Milei, who was present in the executive mansion following the disclosure of a massive rescue package for the Argentine nation. Toward the end of the event, a journalist asked Trump about a current “street takeover” in the city where police officers were attacked and a police vehicle was set on fire. The correspondent also asked if these incidents could cause the loss of hosting duties for the expanded football competition.
“We could take them away,” he stated concerning the FIFA World Cup games, planned to be staged at the Foxborough venue. “The city's leader is poor … they're far-left, and activists are taking over areas of downtown. That’s a significant assertion, don't you think?”
Public Gatherings and Public Safety Concerns
Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven occurrence where large crowds assemble on city streets after dark to engage in dangerous driving, have emerged as a repeated nuisance in US urban areas since the coronavirus closures. Latest such gatherings have escalated into violence in the region, specifically in Boston. However, these gatherings are typically not seen as associated with any distinct political ideology.
“In cases where a city is doing a bad job, and I believe there are security risks, I would call Gianni [Infantino], who is outstanding, and tell him it should be shifted to another location,” Trump said on Tuesday. “And he would do that. He wouldn’t love the action, but he would comply. Very easily, he'd comply.”
FIFA Relationship
FIFA President has been open his attempts to be visibly associated with Trump ahead of the upcoming World Cup, planned to be staged in 11 cities across the US along with several in Canada and a few in Mexico. The organization's leader has participated at multiple presidential events, arranged for Trump deliver the Club World Cup award after the championship match, and has even postponed his own organization’s congress to join Trump on a visit to the Middle East earlier in 2025.
Past Statements
Despite this, Trump from suggesting the cancellation of World Cup events from additional American venues. On September 25, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis faced parallel statements, with Trump stating both locations were “led by far-left extremists who are clueless what they’re doing,” while challenging the safety level of both cities and claiming that events could be shifted.
Organizational Statement
FIFA vice-president Montagliani dismissed Trump’s assertions when he reacted subsequently at a gathering in the UK capital.
“It is our competition, under our authority, FIFA makes such choices,” Montagliani said. “Politely to sitting presidents, football is bigger than them and football will endure their tenure and their policies. That is the essence of our game, that it is transcends a single person and beyond any country.”
Olympics Threat
On Tuesday, Trump’s answer to a inquiry about the Massachusetts city extended to a similar threat regarding the LA Olympic event.
“If I thought Los Angeles was not going to be sufficiently organized, I would relocate it to an alternate venue as needed,” he said. “Regarding that event I might have to get a alternative approval, but we would do that.”
Official consent Trump mentioned would must come from the IOC. The leader, she, was elected to her post in March and has yet to hold a public appearance with him, although she said that she desires a meeting with Trump at some point.
Additional Criticism
Trump also condemned Gavin Newsom’s handling of the California fires, remarking that a similar situation could cause the removal of the event.
“If Newsom is uncooperative, we will have to be strict,” the former president commented.
The warning was equally clear for Boston.
“They better improve their situation,” he remarked. “That is I can say.”