Donald Trump Suggests Removal of World Cup Matches from Massachusetts, 2028 Olympics from California
Ex-president Trump has yet again stated he would urge FIFA to pull upcoming World Cup events from a host city based on that city's politics, with the Boston region now being the latest urban area to encounter such threats from the White House. Additionally, Trump indicated he would contemplate comparable measures against Southern California for the 2028 Olympics due to perceived public safety risks.
Jurisdictional Limits and Informal Leverage
While Trump lacks direct legal authority to directly relocate either tournament, he is able to lobby the international organizations managing each tournament to change locations.
Context of Remarks
His statements were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was at the presidential residence following the disclosure of a $20 billion financial assistance for the South American nation. Toward the end of the gathering, a reporter asked Trump about a recent public disturbance in the city where law enforcement were attacked and a police vehicle was ignited. The correspondent also asked if such events could lead to the revocation of organizing rights for the 48-team soccer tournament.
“It's possible to take them away,” the former president stated about the World Cup fixtures, scheduled to be staged at Gillette Stadium. “The city's leader is ineffective … she is far-left, and they’re taking over parts of the city. That’s a major assertion, right?”
Urban Disturbances and Public Safety Concerns
Public disruptions, a social media-driven trend where large crowds assemble on city streets after dark to engage in dangerous driving, have been a ongoing nuisance in US urban areas since the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Current incidents have escalated into violence in the state, specifically in the city. However, these occurrences are usually not seen as tied to any particular political ideology.
“When someone is doing a bad job, and I believe there’s unsafe conditions, I'd call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and tell him let’s move it to another location,” he stated on Tuesday. “He'd do that. He might not prefer the action, but he'd agree. Readily, he’d do it.”
FIFA Relationship
Gianni Infantino has publicly acknowledged his attempts to be visibly associated with Trump prior to next year’s tournament, planned to be organized in multiple US locations across the United States along with a couple in Canada and multiple in Mexico. The organization's leader has been present at various Oval Office gatherings, arranged for Trump deliver the FIFA club cup after the championship match, and has even postponed his FIFA's internal meeting to join Trump on a visit to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.
Earlier Warnings
Despite this, Trump from threatening the cancellation of World Cup games from other US host cities. On September 25, the Washington city and San Francisco faced similar statements, with Trump claiming both urban centers were “run by radical left lunatics who lack understanding what they're managing,” while criticizing the safety level of both locales and implying that events could be shifted.
Official Rebuttal
FIFA vice-president Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s assertions when he commented days later at a event in England.
“It’s the organization's event, FIFA’s jurisdiction, we decide those decisions,” the vice-president stated. “Respectfully to national heads, the sport is more important than them and soccer will outlast their regime and their leadership. That’s the beauty of our game, that it is transcends one leader and beyond any country.”
LA Games Warning
During the event, Trump’s response to a question about Boston extended to a parallel statement regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“In case I perceived the city was not sufficiently organized, I'd relocate it to another location if I had to,” he remarked. “Regarding that event I might have to obtain a alternative permission, but we'd take that action.”
Official consent Trump refers to would must come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The leader, Kirsty Coventry, was elected to her position in March and has not yet appear together with him, though she stated that she hopes for a discussion with him at a future time.
Other Remarks
The former president also criticized Gavin Newsom’s response of the LA wildfires, saying that a parallel incident could lead to the relocation of the Olympics.
“If Newsom is uncooperative, we are going to have to be strict,” Trump commented.
His statement was equally direct for Boston.
“They must address these issues,” Trump stated. “That’s all I will say.”