🔗 Share this article Trump Suggests Removal of 2026 World Cup Games from Massachusetts, Olympic Games from California Donald Trump has repeatedly stated he would influence FIFA to relocate 2026 World Cup events from a venue based on municipal governance, with Boston becoming the most recent urban area to receive such statements from the American leader. Additionally, Trump indicated he would evaluate similar action against Los Angeles for the upcoming Olympic Games due to possible security concerns. Jurisdictional Limits and Informal Leverage Even though Trump does not have formal power to directly relocate either tournament, he may apply pressure the organizing committees in charge of each competition to shift venues. Background of Comments These comments were made during a press event with Argentinian president Milei, who was present in the presidential residence following the announcement of a $20 billion financial assistance for the Argentine economy. Toward the end of the meeting, a journalist questioned Trump about a latest unauthorized gathering in Boston where police officers were targeted and a patrol car was burned. The journalist also asked if the situation could lead to the loss of tournament responsibilities for the 48-team World Cup. “We could take them away,” Trump stated regarding the World Cup games, set to be held at the Foxborough venue. “Their mayor is ineffective … she’s radical left, and activists are dominating sections of the city. That is a significant claim, right?” Urban Disturbances and Political Context Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven trend where groups of people gather on public avenues after dark to engage in dangerous driving, have become a frequent nuisance in metropolitan centers since the Covid-19 pandemic shutdowns. Current similar events have become aggressive in the region, specifically in Boston. Nevertheless, these gatherings are typically not seen as tied to any particular partisan agenda. “When a city is doing a bad job, and I perceive there are unsafe conditions, I would call the organization's president, who is outstanding, and say we should relocate it to an alternate venue,” he commented on Tuesday. “And he would do that. He wouldn’t love doing it, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he’d do it.” FIFA Relationship The organization's head has made no secret his attempts to be publicly aligned with the US leader prior to the 2026 event, set to be hosted in numerous American venues across the America along with a couple in Canada and three in Mexico. The FIFA president has participated at various White House gatherings, arranged for Trump hand over the Club World Cup award after the concluding game, and has even postponed his own organization’s congress to join Trump on a journey to the Gulf states this year. Earlier Warnings Despite this, Trump from suggesting the removal of soccer events from other US host cities. In late September, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis came under comparable comments, with Trump stating both locations were “led by far-left extremists who are clueless what they’re doing,” while challenging the safety level of both areas and implying that games could be removed. FIFA Response The organization's deputy Montagliani dismissed Trump’s statements when he reacted afterward at a conference in the UK capital. “It’s the organization's event, under our authority, the organization determines these matters,” he said. “Politely to current world leaders, the sport is bigger than political figures and the game will survive their tenure and their government. It's the essence of this sport, that it is more significant than any individual and bigger than individual states.” Olympics Threat On Tuesday, Trump’s response to a question about Boston veered into a parallel statement regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. “In case I perceived Los Angeles was not going to be sufficiently organized, I will move it to an alternate venue as needed,” he said. “Regarding that event I may have to secure a alternative consent, but we'd take that action.” The permission Trump mentioned would need to come through the IOC. Their head, Kirsty Coventry, was selected to her post in March and has yet to meet publicly with him, but she stated that she hopes for a sit-down with Trump at a future time. Further Comments The former president also criticized Gavin Newsom’s management of the blazes, saying that a similar situation could result in the removal of the event. “In case he refuses to cooperate, we’re gonna have to be strict,” he stated. His message was equally clear for the Massachusetts city. “The city must improve their situation,” Trump stated. “It's my message.”