Donald Trump Warns of Removal of 2026 World Cup Fixtures from the Boston area, Olympics from Los Angeles

Donald Trump has once again declared he would urge FIFA to remove upcoming World Cup matches from a host city based on that city's politics, with Boston emerging as the latest urban area to encounter such statements from the American leader. Additionally, Trump suggested he would contemplate comparable measures against LA for the 2028 Summer Games due to perceived safety issues.

Legal Authority and Potential Influence

While Trump does not have official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either tournament, he can exert influence the respective governing bodies managing each competition to move host cities.

Context of Remarks

His statements were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was at the White House following the revelation of a $20 billion rescue package for the Argentine nation. Toward the close of the gathering, a journalist asked Trump about a latest “street takeover” in the city where authorities were attacked and a cruiser was burned. The correspondent also wondered if such events could result in the removal of organizing rights for the larger football competition.

“I would take them away,” he said regarding the soccer games, set to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “Their mayor is poor … she’s radical left, and they are taking over sections of downtown. That is a pretty big claim, right?”

Urban Disturbances and Ideological Perceptions

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven trend where participants assemble on public avenues after dark to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have been a repeated nuisance in US urban areas since the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Current incidents have turned violent in the state, including downtown. Yet, these gatherings are usually not seen as tied to any specific political ideology.

“If someone is performing poorly, and I feel there are security risks, I'd call the organization's president, who is phenomenal, and tell him it should be shifted to another location,” he stated publicly. “He'd do that. He wouldn’t love to do it, but he’d do it. Readily, he would.”

FIFA Relationship

The organization's head has made no secret his efforts to be closely connected with the former president prior to the 2026 event, scheduled to be hosted in numerous American venues across the America along with two in the northern neighbor and a few in the southern neighbor. The head has participated at various Oval Office functions, arranged for Trump hand over the club tournament trophy after that tournament’s final, and has even rescheduled his FIFA's internal meeting to accompany Trump on a trip to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Past Statements

This has not stopped, Trump from warning about the removal of World Cup events from other US host cities. In late September, Seattle and San Francisco came under parallel statements, with Trump stating both cities were “governed by ideological activists who are clueless what they're managing,” while criticizing the public safety of both areas and implying that events could be shifted.

Official Rebuttal

Victor Montagliani rejected Trump’s claims when he responded subsequently at a event in the UK capital.

“This is our competition, under our authority, FIFA makes those decisions,” Montagliani declared. “Respectfully to sitting presidents, the sport is more important than them and the game will outlast their administration and their leadership. It's the essence of our game, that it is bigger than a single person and more important than a nation.”

Olympics Threat

On Tuesday, Trump’s response to a query about Boston extended to a similar threat regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“In case I thought Los Angeles was not prepared properly, I would relocate it to another location if necessary,” he remarked. “For the Olympics I may have to get a alternative permission, but we would do that.”

Any approval Trump mentioned would have to come through the IOC. Their head, Kirsty Coventry, was chosen to her post in March and has not yet meet publicly with Trump, though she indicated that she hopes for a discussion with the US figure at eventually.

Further Comments

He also condemned California governor Newsom’s response of recent California fires, stating that a parallel incident could cause the removal of the Olympics.

“In case the governor is uncooperative, we are going to have to be firm,” the former president said.

His message was equally direct for the Massachusetts city.

“They should improve their situation,” Trump stated. “It's my message.”