The former president Warns of Removal of 2026 World Cup Fixtures from Massachusetts, Olympic Games from Los Angeles

Ex-president Trump has repeatedly declared he would urge FIFA to pull upcoming World Cup games from a host city based on the local politics, with Massachusetts now being the third urban area to encounter such threats from the US president. Furthermore, Trump remarked he would consider similar action against LA for the 2028 Summer Games due to potential public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Potential Influence

Even though Trump holds no direct legal authority to directly relocate either competition, he may exert influence the organizing committees managing each event to move host cities.

Context of Remarks

These remarks were made during a media briefing with Javier Milei, who was visiting the presidential residence following the disclosure of a $20 billion bailout for the South American country. Near the end of the gathering, a journalist inquired Trump about a recent public disturbance in the city where authorities were attacked and a police vehicle was burned. The correspondent also wondered if these incidents could cause the loss of tournament responsibilities for the larger soccer tournament.

“It's possible to take them away,” the former president said regarding the FIFA World Cup fixtures, scheduled to be staged at the Foxborough venue. “She is not good … she is extremist, and activists are taking over parts of downtown. That is a major assertion, right?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Street takeovers, a digitally organized trend where participants assemble on urban roads late at night to perform stunts, have been a repeated nuisance in American cities since the lockdown closures. Latest similar events have become aggressive in Massachusetts, notably in Boston. Yet, these gatherings are typically not regarded as linked to any distinct partisan agenda.

“If a mayor is doing a bad job, and I believe there’s unsafe conditions, I will call the organization's president, who is outstanding, and tell him we should relocate it to another location,” he said during the event. “He will do that. He may not enjoy the action, but he'd agree. Very easily, he would.”

Political Connections

FIFA President has publicly acknowledged his attempts to be closely connected with the US leader ahead of next year’s tournament, scheduled to be hosted in numerous American venues across the United States along with several in the northern neighbor and a few in Mexico. The organization's leader has appeared at several White House gatherings, facilitated Trump deliver the club tournament trophy after the championship match, and has even delayed his the group's assembly to travel with Trump on a journey to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Despite this, Trump from suggesting the relocation of FIFA World Cup matches from additional American venues. Recently, the Washington city and San Francisco faced similar comments, with Trump stating both cities were “led by ideological activists who lack understanding what they’re doing,” while criticizing the public safety of both cities and claiming that matches could be shifted.

Organizational Statement

The organization's deputy Montagliani dismissed Trump’s claims when he reacted subsequently at a gathering in the UK capital.

“It is the organization's event, our responsibility, the organization determines those decisions,” Montagliani declared. “With all due respect to current world leaders, the sport is more important than them and soccer will endure their regime and their policies. That’s the beauty of football, that it is more significant than any individual and more important than any country.”

2028 Comments

On Tuesday, Trump’s response to a inquiry about the Massachusetts city included a parallel statement regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“In case I believed the city was failing to be prepared properly, I would shift it to a different city if necessary,” he remarked. “Regarding that event I may have to get a alternative consent, but we would do that.”

Official consent Trump refers to would must come through the IOC. Their leader, she, was selected to her post in March and has not yet appear together with Trump, but she stated that she would like a discussion with the US figure at eventually.

Further Comments

The former president also condemned Gavin Newsom’s management of the blazes, stating that a parallel incident could result in the cancellation of the Games.

“In case the governor is uncooperative, we are going to have to be strict,” Trump said.

The warning was similarly clear for the Massachusetts city.

“They must improve their situation,” he remarked. “That is I will say.”