Donald Trump Suggests Removal of FIFA World Cup Games from Massachusetts, Olympics from California
Former President Trump has yet again announced he would pressure FIFA to pull global soccer tournament events from a venue based on the local politics, with the Boston region becoming the latest such city to receive such warnings from the US president. Additionally, Trump indicated he would evaluate comparable measures against Los Angeles for the upcoming Olympic Games due to possible security concerns.
Legal Authority and Possible Pressure
Even though Trump lacks direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either competition, he can lobby the organizing committees in charge of each competition to change host cities.
Setting for Statements
These remarks were made during a news conference with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the presidential residence following the revelation of a massive financial assistance for the South American nation. Toward the end of the meeting, a journalist inquired Trump about a recent unauthorized gathering in Boston where authorities were assaulted and a patrol car was ignited. The journalist also asked if such events could lead to the removal of hosting duties for the larger World Cup.
“We could take them away,” the former president remarked concerning the World Cup matches, planned to be held at the Massachusetts arena. “She is poor … they're extremist, and they are taking over sections of Boston. It's a significant statement, right?”
Urban Disturbances and Political Context
Public disruptions, a online-fueled occurrence where large crowds gather on public avenues late at night to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have been a repeated issue in US urban areas since the Covid-19 pandemic shutdowns. Recent similar events have become aggressive in Massachusetts, including the city. Nevertheless, these gatherings are typically not considered linked to any specific political ideology.
“In cases where someone is performing poorly, and I feel there are security risks, I will call Gianni [Infantino], who is excellent, and tell him it should be shifted to another location,” Trump stated on Tuesday. “And he would do that. He wouldn’t love doing it, but he would comply. Readily, he'd comply.”
Organizational Alignment
Gianni Infantino has been open his attempts to be publicly aligned with Trump ahead of the 2026 event, set to be staged in numerous American venues across the America along with a couple in Canada and three in Mexico. The head has been present at several White House functions, facilitated Trump hand over the FIFA club award after the concluding game, and has even postponed his own organization’s congress to join Trump on a trip to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.
Earlier Warnings
Nevertheless, Trump from threatening the removal of World Cup games from different locations. In late September, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis were similar statements, with Trump asserting both locations were “run by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they're managing,” while criticizing the safety level of both areas and implying that events could be shifted.
Organizational Statement
FIFA vice-president Montagliani dismissed Trump’s claims when he commented days later at a event in England.
“This is our competition, under our authority, FIFA makes such choices,” he said. “Respectfully to current world leaders, the sport is more important than political figures and football will outlast their administration and their leadership. That’s the essence of our game, that it is more significant than a single person and bigger than individual states.”
LA Games Warning
During the event, Trump’s answer to a question about Boston veered into a parallel statement regarding the upcoming Summer Games.
“When I perceived the city was not going to be sufficiently organized, I will move it to another location if necessary,” he remarked. “On that one I may have to obtain a varying permission, but we will proceed.”
Official consent Trump refers to would need to come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The president, she, was selected to her role in spring and has so far not meet publicly with the former president, but she stated that she desires a discussion with him at a future time.
Additional Criticism
He also condemned California governor Newsom’s management of recent California fires, remarking that a parallel incident could cause the cancellation of the Games.
“When Newsom doesn’t play ball, we’re gonna have to be very tough,” he commented.
The warning was similarly clear for the Massachusetts city.
“Boston must improve their situation,” Trump stated. “That is my message.”