Donald Trump Suggests Pulling of World Cup Matches from the Boston area, 2028 Olympics from California

Former President Trump has once again stated he would influence FIFA to pull 2026 World Cup matches from a venue based on municipal governance, with Boston now being the latest such city to receive such statements from the White House. Furthermore, Trump remarked he would evaluate parallel steps against Los Angeles for the upcoming Olympic Games due to possible security concerns.

Official Power and Informal Leverage

Although Trump does not have formal power to personally cancel either event, he is able to lobby the respective governing bodies overseeing each tournament to change host cities.

Context of Remarks

His remarks were made during a media briefing with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the executive mansion following the announcement of a multibillion-dollar bailout for the South American economy. At the conclusion of the gathering, a media member inquired Trump about a recent “street takeover” in Boston where law enforcement were assaulted and a cruiser was set on fire. The reporter also wondered if the situation could result in the loss of organizing rights for the 48-team World Cup.

“I would take them away,” Trump remarked about the soccer matches, set to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “The city's leader is ineffective … she’s radical left, and they are occupying sections of the city. It's a significant claim, right?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a online-fueled occurrence where participants assemble on public avenues after dark to engage in dangerous driving, have become a ongoing problem in American cities since the coronavirus restrictions. Latest similar events have escalated into violence in Massachusetts, specifically in downtown. Nevertheless, these events are generally not regarded as linked to any distinct political ideology.

“When 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 it should be shifted to an alternate venue,” Trump stated publicly. “He will do that. He wouldn’t love to do it, but he’d do it. Without hesitation, he would.”

Organizational Alignment

FIFA President has made no secret his attempts to be visibly associated with the former president prior to next year’s tournament, scheduled to be hosted in 11 cities across the United States along with two in the northern neighbor and a few in the southern neighbor. The head has participated at various presidential gatherings, facilitated Trump present the club tournament trophy after the concluding game, and has even rescheduled his own organization’s congress to accompany Trump on a trip to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

Nevertheless, Trump from threatening the cancellation of World Cup games from other US host cities. In late September, Seattle and San Francisco were similar statements, with Trump stating both locations were “governed by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they're managing,” while challenging the security conditions of both areas and claiming that matches could be removed.

Organizational Statement

The organization's deputy Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s statements when he reacted days later at a event in London.

“It is our competition, FIFA’s jurisdiction, the organization determines such choices,” Montagliani stated. “Respectfully to current world leaders, soccer is transcends them and soccer will endure their regime and their government. That is the beauty of this sport, that it is transcends any individual and more important than a nation.”

2028 Comments

On Tuesday, Trump’s answer to a query about Boston veered into a comparable warning regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“When I believed Los Angeles was failing to be prepared properly, I would shift it to an alternate venue as needed,” he remarked. “For the Olympics I might have to get a varying consent, but we would do that.”

Any approval Trump refers to would have to come from the IOC. The head, she, was chosen to her position in March and has not yet appear together with Trump, though she said that she would like a meeting with Trump at eventually.

Additional Criticism

Trump also questioned California governor Newsom’s handling of the LA wildfires, remarking that a similar situation could result in the cancellation of the Games.

“If Newsom is uncooperative, we will have to be strict,” the former president said.

His message was equally direct for Boston.

“The city better clean up their act,” he remarked. “That is I will say.”