🔗 Share this article

Ex-president Trump has repeatedly stated he would influence FIFA to remove global soccer tournament events from a venue based on municipal politics, with the Boston region becoming the most recent targeted location to encounter such warnings from the American leader. Additionally, Trump indicated he would consider parallel steps against LA for the upcoming Olympic Games due to perceived security concerns.

Jurisdictional Limits and Possible Pressure

Although Trump holds no formal power to directly relocate either competition, he can exert influence the respective governing bodies managing each competition to change locations.

Background of Comments

These remarks were made during a media briefing with Argentina's leader Milei, who was present in the executive mansion following the disclosure of a multibillion-dollar bailout for the Argentine country. Near the close of the gathering, a journalist questioned Trump about a recent public disturbance in downtown Boston where authorities were assaulted and a police vehicle was burned. The correspondent also asked if the situation could cause the revocation of organizing rights for the 48-team soccer tournament.

“It's possible to take them away,” the former president said concerning the World Cup games, planned to be staged at the Foxborough venue. “Their mayor is ineffective … she is far-left, and they’re dominating areas of the city. It's a pretty big assertion, don't you think?”

Urban Disturbances and Public Safety Concerns

Street takeovers, a social media-driven trend where groups of people assemble on urban roads late at night to engage in dangerous driving, have emerged as a repeated nuisance in metropolitan centers since the coronavirus closures. Current incidents have turned violent in the region, including downtown. Nevertheless, these events are generally not regarded as associated with any distinct ideological group.

“When a city is doing a bad job, and I feel exist dangerous circumstances, I will call the FIFA head, who is excellent, and tell him we should relocate it to a different city,” the former president stated on Tuesday. “He'd do that. He might not prefer doing it, but he would comply. Very easily, he would.”

FIFA Relationship

Gianni Infantino has been open his strategies to be closely connected with Trump prior to the upcoming World Cup, planned to be staged in 11 cities across the US along with two in the northern neighbor and a few in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has participated at multiple Oval Office events, facilitated Trump present the FIFA club cup after the concluding game, and has even postponed his FIFA's internal meeting to accompany Trump on a trip to the Middle East earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Nevertheless, Trump from suggesting the removal of soccer games from other US host cities. In late September, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis faced similar criticism, with Trump claiming both urban centers were “governed by far-left extremists who are clueless what they're managing,” while criticizing the security conditions of both cities and suggesting that events could be relocated.

FIFA Response

The organization's deputy Montagliani dismissed Trump’s statements when he reacted afterward at a conference in London.

“It’s the organization's event, under our authority, FIFA makes those decisions,” Montagliani said. “Politely to current world leaders, the sport is more important than them and the game will outlast their regime and their government. It's the beauty of football, that it is bigger than a single person and bigger than individual states.”

2028 Comments

During the event, Trump’s response to a question about the Massachusetts city included a parallel statement regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“In case I perceived LA was failing to be adequately ready, I will move it to an alternate venue if I had to,” he remarked. “On that one I might have to get a different kind of consent, but we would take that action.”

The permission Trump alluded to would need to come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their head, the newly elected president, was elected to her position in this year and has not yet appear together with the former president, although she stated that she desires a sit-down with Trump at a future time.

Other Remarks

The former president also questioned California governor Newsom’s handling of recent blazes, remarking that a similar situation could result in the cancellation of the event.

“If he doesn’t play ball, we will have to be firm,” Trump said.

His message was equally direct for Boston.

“The city better clean up their act,” he said. “It's my message.”