🔗 Share this article

Ex-president Trump has repeatedly announced he would urge FIFA to pull 2026 World Cup events from a designated city based on that city's political climate, with Boston becoming the third urban area to encounter such threats from the US president. Moreover, Trump indicated he would evaluate similar action against LA for the 2028 Summer Games due to possible security concerns.

Legal Authority and Possible Pressure

While Trump lacks direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either tournament, he may lobby the respective governing bodies managing each competition to move venues.

Setting for Statements

His comments were made during a news conference with Argentina's leader Milei, who was visiting the executive mansion following the announcement of a massive bailout for the Argentine country. Toward the conclusion of the event, a reporter questioned Trump about a current unauthorized gathering in Boston where law enforcement were attacked and a cruiser was burned. The reporter also asked if these incidents could lead to the revocation of organizing rights for the expanded World Cup.

“It's possible to take them away,” Trump stated about the FIFA World Cup fixtures, scheduled to be staged at Gillette Stadium. “The city's leader is ineffective … she’s extremist, and they are taking over parts of the city. It's a pretty big assertion, don't you think?”

Urban Disturbances and Ideological Perceptions

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven phenomenon where groups of people gather on public avenues after dark to perform stunts, have become a ongoing issue in US urban areas since the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Latest similar events have escalated into violence in the region, notably in Boston. However, these events are typically not seen as tied to any specific ideological group.

“When a mayor is failing, and I feel exist security risks, I would call the organization's president, who is phenomenal, and suggest let’s move it to another location,” he stated on Tuesday. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy doing it, but he'd agree. Very easily, he would.”

Organizational Alignment

Gianni Infantino has made no secret his efforts to be publicly aligned with the US leader before next year’s tournament, set to be hosted in multiple US locations across the America along with a couple in the northern neighbor and three in Mexico. The organization's leader has appeared at various White House events, arranged for Trump hand over the club tournament award after the championship match, and has even postponed his FIFA's internal meeting to accompany Trump on a trip to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

This has not stopped, Trump from warning about the relocation of FIFA World Cup games from additional American venues. On September 25, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis faced similar comments, with Trump claiming both locations were “governed by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they’re doing,” while challenging the public safety of both cities and implying that matches could be relocated.

Official Rebuttal

Victor Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he commented afterward at a gathering in England.

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, under our authority, we decide such choices,” he said. “Respectfully to national heads, the sport is bigger than political figures and soccer will outlast their tenure and their government. That’s the beauty of football, that it is transcends any individual and more important than a nation.”

Olympics Threat

On Tuesday, Trump’s reply to a inquiry about the Massachusetts city included a comparable warning regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“If I believed LA was not adequately ready, I will move it to a different city if necessary,” he said. “For the Olympics I may have to get a alternative permission, but we will take that action.”

Any approval Trump mentioned would need to come through the Olympic governing body. Their head, the newly elected president, was elected to her post in this year and has not yet appear together with Trump, though she indicated that she hopes for a discussion with Trump at eventually.

Further Comments

The former president also criticized California governor Newsom’s response of the LA wildfires, saying that a similar situation could lead to the cancellation of the event.

“If Newsom doesn’t play ball, we will have to be firm,” he commented.

The warning was just as unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“They must improve their situation,” he said. “It's my message.”