🔗 Share this article

Ex-president Trump has once again stated he would urge FIFA to pull upcoming World Cup events from a designated city based on that city's governance, with Massachusetts emerging as the latest such city to face such statements from the American leader. Additionally, Trump indicated he would evaluate similar action against Los Angeles for the upcoming Olympic Games due to possible public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Informal Leverage

While Trump lacks direct legal authority to personally cancel either event, he is able to lobby the international organizations overseeing each competition to shift venues.

Context of Remarks

The remarks were made during a media briefing with Argentina's leader Milei, who was visiting the executive mansion following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar financial assistance for the South American nation. Toward the conclusion of the gathering, a reporter questioned Trump about a recent unauthorized gathering in downtown Boston where law enforcement were assaulted and a police vehicle was set on fire. The reporter also wondered if such events could cause the removal of organizing rights for the larger World Cup.

“It's possible to take them away,” the former president remarked regarding the World Cup matches, scheduled to be held at Gillette Stadium. “She is not good … they're extremist, and activists are occupying areas of downtown. That is a pretty big claim, isn't it?”

Street Takeovers and Public Safety Concerns

Public disruptions, a online-fueled occurrence where large crowds gather on city streets during nighttime to engage in dangerous driving, have become a ongoing problem in metropolitan centers since the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Current such gatherings have become aggressive in the region, including Boston. However, these events are usually not regarded as tied to any specific ideological group.

“In cases where a mayor is failing, and I believe there’s security risks, I'd call the FIFA head, who is outstanding, and say let’s move it to an alternate venue,” he said publicly. “He'd do that. He might not prefer doing it, but he would comply. Readily, he would.”

FIFA Relationship

Gianni Infantino has publicly acknowledged his efforts to be publicly aligned with Trump before next year’s tournament, scheduled to be hosted in 11 cities across the America along with two in Canada and multiple in the southern neighbor. The head has participated at various Oval Office functions, had Trump hand over the Club World Cup cup after the concluding game, and has even rescheduled his the group's assembly to accompany Trump on a visit to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Despite this, Trump from suggesting the cancellation of World Cup games from other US host cities. Recently, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis were comparable comments, with Trump claiming both locations were “governed by far-left extremists who are clueless what they are doing,” while criticizing the security conditions of both locales and suggesting that events could be shifted.

Organizational Statement

Victor Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s assertions when he reacted days later at a event in England.

“It’s our competition, FIFA’s jurisdiction, the organization determines those decisions,” he declared. “Politely to current world leaders, the sport is more important than them and soccer will outlast their tenure and their government. It's the essence of our game, that it is more significant than one leader and more important than any country.”

2028 Comments

Similarly, Trump’s response to a inquiry about Boston included a similar threat regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“When I believed LA was not prepared properly, I'd relocate it to another location as needed,” he said. “For the Olympics I may have to secure a different kind of consent, but we will proceed.”

Any approval Trump refers to would must come via the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their leader, she, was chosen to her post in this year and has not yet appear together with the former president, although she said that she desires a discussion with him at some point.

Further Comments

The former president also condemned Gavin Newsom’s response of this year’s blazes, saying that a similar situation could lead to the relocation of the Games.

“In case Newsom is uncooperative, we are going to have to be strict,” Trump commented.

His message was equally unambiguous for Boston.

“The city better improve their situation,” he remarked. “That’s all I can say.”