Trump Warns of Removal of 2026 World Cup Fixtures from Massachusetts, Olympics from California

Ex-president Trump has yet again declared he would urge FIFA to remove upcoming World Cup events from a host city based on the local politics, with Massachusetts now being the third urban area to receive such statements from the American leader. Moreover, Trump suggested he would consider parallel steps against Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics due to perceived safety issues.

Legal Authority and Possible Pressure

Although Trump lacks formal power to directly relocate either tournament, he can exert influence the international organizations in charge of each event to shift host cities.

Setting for Statements

The remarks were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was visiting the presidential residence following the announcement of a multibillion-dollar financial assistance for the Argentine country. Toward the close of the meeting, a journalist asked Trump about a current “street takeover” in the city where authorities were assaulted and a cruiser was burned. The reporter also asked if such events could cause the revocation of tournament responsibilities for the 48-team World Cup.

“It's possible to take them away,” the former president remarked regarding the World Cup games, scheduled to be held at Gillette Stadium. “Their mayor is ineffective … she is extremist, and they’re taking over parts of the city. It's a pretty big statement, isn't it?”

Public Gatherings and Public Safety Concerns

Public disruptions, a online-fueled phenomenon where groups of people assemble on public avenues during nighttime to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have been a frequent nuisance in metropolitan centers since the lockdown restrictions. Current such gatherings have become aggressive in the region, specifically in Boston. However, these gatherings are typically not seen as tied to any particular political ideology.

“If a city is performing poorly, and I feel exist security risks, I would call the FIFA head, who is outstanding, and say we should relocate it to a different city,” the former president commented publicly. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy doing it, but he would comply. Very easily, he would.”

Political Connections

The organization's head has publicly acknowledged his attempts to be closely connected with the US leader before next year’s tournament, set to be hosted in 11 cities across the US along with several in the northern neighbor and three in Mexico. The FIFA president has been present at various Oval Office events, had Trump deliver the club tournament trophy after the championship match, and has even delayed his FIFA's internal meeting to accompany Trump on a trip to the Middle East previously.

Past Statements

Nevertheless, Trump from warning about the relocation of soccer games from other US host cities. In late September, Seattle and San Francisco came under similar comments, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “governed by ideological activists who lack understanding what they’re doing,” while challenging the public safety of both cities and claiming that matches could be removed.

Official Rebuttal

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

“This is our competition, our responsibility, we decide those decisions,” the vice-president said. “Respectfully to current world leaders, football is transcends political figures and the game will endure their administration and their leadership. That is the strength of football, that it is transcends any individual and beyond individual states.”

2028 Comments

Similarly, Trump’s answer to a query about Boston included a comparable warning regarding the LA Olympic event.

“In case I perceived the city was failing to be prepared properly, I'd shift it to a different city if necessary,” he remarked. “For the Olympics I’d probably have to secure a different kind of permission, but we will do that.”

Official consent Trump refers to would need to come through the Olympic governing body. Their head, the newly elected president, was elected to her role in spring and has yet to appear together with Trump, although she said that she would like a sit-down with Trump at eventually.

Further Comments

He also questioned the state's leader Newsom’s management of the LA wildfires, stating that a parallel incident could result in the cancellation of the Games.

“If the governor doesn’t play ball, we will have to be firm,” Trump said.

The warning was just as unambiguous for Boston.

“The city better clean up their act,” he remarked. “That’s all I can say.”