🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump has once again stated he would pressure FIFA to remove upcoming World Cup games from a designated city based on the local political climate, with Massachusetts emerging as the most recent targeted location to encounter such threats from the White House. Moreover, Trump indicated he would evaluate comparable measures against Southern California for the upcoming Olympic Games due to possible public safety risks.

Official Power and Possible Pressure

Even though Trump does not have official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either tournament, he may lobby the respective governing bodies overseeing each tournament to move locations.

Context of Remarks

His remarks were made during a press event with Javier Milei, who was visiting the executive mansion following the announcement of a $20 billion bailout for the Latin American nation. Toward the conclusion of the gathering, a media member asked Trump about a latest “street takeover” in downtown Boston where law enforcement were targeted and a cruiser was burned. The correspondent also wondered if such events could lead to the removal of hosting duties for the expanded World Cup.

“It's possible to take them away,” he said regarding the FIFA World Cup games, scheduled to be hosted at the Foxborough venue. “The city's leader is poor … she is far-left, and they are dominating parts of Boston. It's a pretty big statement, don't you think?”

Street Takeovers and Public Safety Concerns

Street takeovers, a social media-driven trend where large crowds gather on urban roads during nighttime to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have emerged as a ongoing nuisance in metropolitan centers since the Covid-19 pandemic closures. Recent similar events have escalated into violence in Massachusetts, including Boston. Yet, these occurrences are typically not regarded as linked to any specific political ideology.

“If someone is doing a bad job, and I perceive there are unsafe conditions, I'd call the organization's president, who is excellent, and tell him let’s move it to a different city,” he commented publicly. “He will do that. He might not prefer to do it, but he'd agree. Very easily, he’d do it.”

Organizational Alignment

Gianni Infantino has made no secret his strategies to be publicly aligned with Trump ahead of next year’s tournament, set to be staged in numerous American venues across the US along with a couple in the northern neighbor and multiple in Mexico. The organization's leader has been present at various White House events, facilitated Trump hand over the FIFA club award after that tournament’s final, 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 soccer events from other US host cities. In late September, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis came under parallel comments, with Trump claiming 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 games could be shifted.

Organizational Statement

FIFA vice-president Montagliani rejected Trump’s statements when he reacted subsequently at a conference in London.

“It is FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions,” he stated. “Politely to sitting presidents, soccer is transcends political figures and the game will endure their tenure and their leadership. That’s the beauty of football, that it is bigger than one leader and bigger than individual states.”

2028 Comments

Similarly, Trump’s answer to a query about Boston extended to a parallel statement regarding the LA Olympic event.

“In case I believed Los Angeles was failing to be sufficiently organized, I would relocate it to an alternate venue as needed,” he said. “Regarding that event I’d probably have to obtain a different kind of consent, but we'd proceed.”

The permission Trump alluded to would need to come through the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The leader, she, was elected to her post in March and has yet to appear together with Trump, but she said that she would like a sit-down with Trump at some point.

Additional Criticism

The former president also questioned California governor Newsom’s response of the LA wildfires, remarking that a parallel incident could result in the removal of the Games.

“When the governor doesn’t play ball, we’re gonna have to be firm,” the former president said.

His statement was similarly clear for Boston.

“They better address these issues,” he remarked. “That is I will say.”