Donald Trump Threatens Relocation of World Cup Games from Boston, 2028 Olympics from LA

Ex-president Trump has yet again stated he would urge FIFA to pull global soccer tournament games from a designated city based on municipal politics, with Boston now being the latest targeted location to encounter such warnings from the US president. Additionally, Trump remarked he would consider comparable measures against Southern California for the 2028 Olympics due to possible public safety risks.

Jurisdictional Limits and Potential Influence

Although Trump lacks official jurisdiction to personally cancel either tournament, he can apply pressure the international organizations managing each tournament to change locations.

Background of Comments

These comments were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was present in the executive mansion following the revelation of a massive rescue package for the Latin American nation. Near the end of the event, a reporter inquired Trump about a latest unauthorized gathering in Boston where authorities were assaulted and a police vehicle was burned. The correspondent also asked if the situation could lead to the removal of hosting duties for the larger World Cup.

“I would take them away,” the former president remarked regarding the FIFA World Cup games, set to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “She is not good … she is extremist, and they’re occupying parts of the city. That’s a significant assertion, right?”

Public Gatherings and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a online-fueled occurrence where large crowds congregate on public avenues during nighttime to perform stunts, have emerged as a ongoing issue in metropolitan centers since the lockdown shutdowns. Latest similar events have escalated into violence in Massachusetts, including downtown. Yet, these occurrences are generally not seen as linked to any particular political ideology.

“If someone is doing a bad job, and I believe there’s dangerous circumstances, I would call the organization's president, who is phenomenal, and say let’s move it to an alternate venue,” he commented publicly. “He will do that. He may not enjoy to do it, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he would.”

Political Connections

Gianni Infantino has publicly acknowledged his strategies to be closely connected with the US leader prior to the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to be staged in 11 cities across the United States along with several in the northern neighbor and multiple in Mexico. The head has been present at several Oval Office functions, had Trump deliver the Club World Cup cup after the championship match, and has even postponed his FIFA's internal meeting to travel with Trump on a journey to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Past Statements

Despite this, Trump from threatening the relocation of World Cup games from additional American venues. On September 25, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis came under similar comments, with Trump claiming both locations were “run by radical left lunatics who lack understanding what they’re doing,” while challenging the security conditions of both areas and suggesting that matches could be shifted.

Official Rebuttal

Victor Montagliani rejected Trump’s statements when he reacted subsequently at a event in England.

“This is our competition, FIFA’s jurisdiction, we decide those decisions,” Montagliani declared. “Respectfully to current world leaders, football is more important than any individual and football will outlast their tenure and their leadership. That’s the essence of our game, that it is more significant than any individual and bigger than individual states.”

LA Games Warning

During the event, Trump’s answer to a question about Boston included a similar threat regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“When I believed Los Angeles was not prepared properly, I will relocate it to an alternate venue if I had to,” Trump stated. “Regarding that event I may have to secure a different kind of permission, but we'd proceed.”

Official consent Trump refers to would need to come via the IOC. The head, she, was chosen to her post in this year and has yet to appear together with him, but she stated that she hopes for a meeting with him at some point.

Further Comments

The former president also criticized the state's leader Newsom’s response of this year’s California fires, remarking that a similar situation could result in the cancellation of the Olympics.

“If he refuses to cooperate, we will have to be firm,” Trump stated.

The warning was just as clear for the Massachusetts city.

“They should improve their situation,” he remarked. “That’s all I will say.”