Donald Trump Threatens Relocation of 2026 World Cup Games from Massachusetts, Olympics from Los Angeles

Ex-president Trump has once again stated he would pressure FIFA to pull 2026 World Cup games from a venue based on municipal political climate, with Boston now being the third targeted location to encounter such threats from the US president. Additionally, Trump suggested he would evaluate parallel steps against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to possible security concerns.

Jurisdictional Limits and Possible Pressure

Even though Trump does not have direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either competition, he may exert influence the organizing committees in charge of each competition to shift host cities.

Background of Comments

The remarks were made during a press event with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the White House following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar financial assistance for the South American country. Near the conclusion of the event, a media member inquired Trump about a recent public disturbance in Boston where police officers were targeted and a police vehicle was burned. The journalist also wondered if such events could lead to the loss of tournament responsibilities for the larger soccer tournament.

“We could take them away,” he stated about the soccer games, planned to be staged at the Massachusetts arena. “She is ineffective … she’s extremist, and they’re dominating areas of Boston. It's a pretty big assertion, isn't it?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Street takeovers, a social media-driven occurrence where large crowds congregate on urban roads late at night to engage in dangerous driving, have emerged as a ongoing nuisance in American cities since the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Latest incidents have escalated into violence in the region, including the city. Yet, these occurrences are typically not regarded as tied to any particular partisan agenda.

“In cases where someone is performing poorly, and I feel exist unsafe conditions, I would call the FIFA head, who is outstanding, and suggest it should be shifted to a different city,” Trump commented during the event. “He'd do that. He might not prefer to do it, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he would.”

Organizational Alignment

The organization's head has publicly acknowledged his efforts to be closely connected with Trump prior to the upcoming World Cup, set to be staged in 11 cities across the America along with several in the northern neighbor and multiple in Mexico. The head has been present at several White House functions, had Trump hand over the Club World Cup award after the championship match, and has even rescheduled his FIFA's internal meeting to accompany Trump on a visit to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Past Statements

Nevertheless, Trump from warning about the cancellation of World Cup events from additional American venues. On September 25, the Washington city and San Francisco were parallel comments, with Trump stating both cities were “governed by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they are doing,” while criticizing the security conditions of both locales and claiming that matches could be shifted.

Organizational Statement

FIFA vice-president Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he commented days later at a event in England.

“It’s the organization's event, under our authority, we decide those decisions,” the vice-president declared. “Politely to national heads, the sport is bigger than any individual and football will survive their regime and their policies. That is the strength of football, that it is bigger than any individual and beyond individual states.”

LA Games Warning

During the event, Trump’s answer to a question about Boston included a similar threat regarding the LA Olympic event.

“In case I believed LA was not sufficiently organized, I would shift it to a different city if necessary,” he said. “On that one I’d probably have to obtain a different kind of permission, but we'd do that.”

The permission Trump alluded to would need to come via the Olympic governing body. Their president, she, was selected to her post in March and has so far not appear together with Trump, although she said that she would like a meeting with him at eventually.

Other Remarks

He also criticized the state's leader Newsom’s response of recent LA wildfires, stating that a similar situation could lead to the removal of the Games.

“In case the governor doesn’t play ball, we will have to be firm,” he commented.

His message was equally clear for Boston.

“They better improve their situation,” Trump stated. “That’s all my message.”