🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump has yet again declared he would urge FIFA to remove 2026 World Cup matches from a host city based on that city's governance, with Massachusetts becoming the most recent targeted location to face such warnings from the American leader. Moreover, Trump remarked he would evaluate similar action against Los Angeles for the 2028 Summer Games due to perceived security concerns.

Official Power and Potential Influence

Even though Trump holds no direct legal authority to directly relocate either event, he can exert influence the respective governing bodies in charge of each competition to move host cities.

Setting for Statements

These comments were made during a news conference with Javier Milei, who was visiting the executive mansion following the revelation of a $20 billion financial assistance for the South American economy. Toward the end of the meeting, a reporter questioned Trump about a current unauthorized gathering in downtown Boston where police officers were assaulted and a cruiser was burned. The correspondent also wondered if these incidents could lead to the loss of hosting duties for the larger soccer tournament.

“It's possible to take them away,” he said regarding the soccer fixtures, scheduled to be hosted at Gillette Stadium. “She is not good … she is far-left, and activists are taking over parts of the city. That’s a significant statement, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven phenomenon where large crowds assemble on public avenues after dark to perform stunts, have emerged as a ongoing issue in US urban areas since the lockdown closures. Latest such gatherings have escalated into violence in Massachusetts, notably in downtown. However, these occurrences are generally not considered tied to any particular political ideology.

“If a mayor is performing poorly, and I believe exist dangerous circumstances, I'd call the FIFA head, who is phenomenal, and tell him it should be shifted to an alternate venue,” the former president stated publicly. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy to do it, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he'd comply.”

FIFA Relationship

Gianni Infantino has publicly acknowledged his attempts to be publicly aligned with the US leader prior to next year’s tournament, scheduled to be organized in multiple US locations across the United States along with two in the northern neighbor and multiple in Mexico. The head has participated at multiple White House events, facilitated Trump present the FIFA club award after that tournament’s final, and has even postponed his FIFA's internal meeting to accompany Trump on a trip to the Arab region this year.

Earlier Warnings

Nevertheless, Trump from suggesting the relocation of soccer events from other US host cities. In late September, the Washington city and San Francisco came under parallel criticism, with Trump asserting both cities were “run by ideological activists who don’t know what they’re doing,” while questioning the security conditions of both cities and suggesting that games could be shifted.

Organizational Statement

Victor Montagliani rejected Trump’s claims when he responded days later at a event in England.

“It’s the organization's event, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes such choices,” Montagliani stated. “With all due respect to current world leaders, football is more important than them and football will outlast their administration and their government. That’s the essence of our game, that it is bigger than a single person and more important than any country.”

LA Games Warning

On Tuesday, Trump’s answer to a question about the Massachusetts city extended to a parallel statement regarding the LA Olympic event.

“In case I perceived LA was failing to be sufficiently organized, I would move it to a different city if I had to,” he said. “For the Olympics I may have to get a alternative approval, but we would proceed.”

The permission Trump alluded to would must come from the IOC. Their head, the newly elected president, was chosen to her position in March and has yet to meet publicly with the former president, but she indicated that she desires a meeting with him at some point.

Other Remarks

The former president also criticized Gavin Newsom’s response of this year’s California fires, saying that a parallel incident could cause the relocation of the Olympics.

“If he refuses to cooperate, we’re gonna have to be very tough,” he stated.

His statement was similarly direct for Boston.

“The city must address these issues,” Trump stated. “It's my message.”