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Ex-president Trump has yet again announced he would influence FIFA to remove 2026 World Cup events from a designated city based on that city's governance, with the Boston region emerging as the most recent urban area to encounter such threats from the White House. Moreover, Trump suggested he would evaluate similar action against LA for the 2028 Summer Games due to potential public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Informal Leverage

While Trump holds no official jurisdiction to directly relocate either tournament, he is able to lobby the respective governing bodies overseeing each competition to move venues.

Background of Comments

The remarks were made during a press event with Argentinian president Milei, who was at the presidential residence following the revelation of a $20 billion bailout for the Latin American nation. At the end of the event, a journalist inquired Trump about a latest unauthorized gathering in the city where law enforcement were targeted and a police vehicle was ignited. The correspondent also wondered if such events could cause the revocation of hosting duties for the 48-team football competition.

“We could take them away,” the former president said regarding the soccer matches, planned to be held at Gillette Stadium. “Their mayor is ineffective … she is far-left, and they are taking over parts of the city. It's a major assertion, right?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Street takeovers, a social media-driven occurrence where groups of people congregate on urban roads during nighttime to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have emerged as a frequent nuisance in metropolitan centers since the lockdown closures. Recent incidents have become aggressive in Massachusetts, specifically in Boston. Nevertheless, these gatherings are typically not seen as associated with any distinct political ideology.

“In cases where a mayor is performing poorly, and I perceive there’s dangerous circumstances, I'd call the organization's president, who is excellent, and say let’s move it to a different city,” the former president commented during the event. “He will do that. He might not prefer doing it, but he'd agree. Very easily, he would.”

Political Connections

The organization's head has made no secret his attempts to be publicly aligned with the US leader ahead of the 2026 event, scheduled to be organized in multiple US locations across the America along with two in the northern neighbor and multiple in Mexico. The organization's leader has been present at multiple Oval Office events, had Trump deliver the club tournament trophy after the championship match, and has even delayed his FIFA's internal meeting to accompany Trump on a visit to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Past Statements

This has not stopped, Trump from threatening the removal of World Cup games from additional American venues. On September 25, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis came under parallel comments, with Trump stating both urban centers were “run by ideological activists who lack understanding what they are doing,” while criticizing the public safety of both cities and suggesting that matches could be removed.

Organizational Statement

The organization's deputy Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he reacted afterward at a gathering in London.

“This is the organization's event, FIFA’s jurisdiction, we decide these matters,” the vice-president declared. “Politely to national heads, the sport is more important than them and the game will endure their regime and their policies. It's the essence of our game, that it is bigger than any individual and bigger than a nation.”

Olympics Threat

During the event, Trump’s answer to a query about the Massachusetts city included a parallel statement regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“When I thought LA was not going to be sufficiently organized, I'd move it to a different city if I had to,” he said. “For the Olympics I might have to get a different kind of permission, but we'd do that.”

Any approval Trump mentioned would must come through the IOC. The head, Kirsty Coventry, was chosen to her position in this year and has so far not meet publicly with Trump, although she said that she would like a sit-down with the US figure at some point.

Other Remarks

He also condemned the state's leader Newsom’s management of recent LA wildfires, saying that a parallel incident could result in the removal of the Olympics.

“If the governor doesn’t play ball, we are going to have to be strict,” the former president commented.

The warning was equally clear for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston should improve their situation,” he said. “That is I will say.”