Donald Trump Warns of Pulling of FIFA World Cup Games from Massachusetts, Olympics from LA

Donald Trump has repeatedly announced he would influence FIFA to pull global soccer tournament games from a venue based on that city's politics, with the Boston region becoming the third urban area to receive such statements from the US president. Additionally, Trump remarked he would consider parallel steps against LA for the 2028 Olympics due to potential security concerns.

Official Power and Possible Pressure

While Trump does not have official jurisdiction to directly relocate either event, he is able to apply pressure the international organizations overseeing each event to change host cities.

Background of Comments

His comments were made during a media briefing with Argentinian president Milei, who was visiting the White House following the revelation of a $20 billion financial assistance for the South American nation. Toward the close of the event, a media member asked Trump about a latest “street takeover” in the city where police officers were attacked and a cruiser was set on fire. The correspondent also questioned if these incidents could result in the loss of tournament responsibilities for the 48-team World Cup.

“We could take them away,” Trump stated concerning the World Cup games, set to be held at the Massachusetts arena. “Their mayor is ineffective … she’s far-left, and they’re taking over parts of downtown. That’s a major claim, don't you think?”

Urban Disturbances and Ideological Perceptions

Public disruptions, a online-fueled phenomenon where groups of people gather on public avenues after dark to perform stunts, have become a frequent issue in US urban areas since the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Current such gatherings have turned violent in the state, specifically in downtown. Yet, these occurrences are generally not seen as associated with any distinct political ideology.

“In cases where a city is doing a bad job, and I feel exist unsafe conditions, I will call the organization's president, who is phenomenal, and tell him let’s move it to a different city,” he said on Tuesday. “He'd do that. He might not prefer the action, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he’d do it.”

Organizational Alignment

FIFA President has been open his strategies to be publicly aligned with Trump prior to the 2026 event, planned to be hosted in multiple US locations across the America along with a couple in Canada and three in Mexico. The organization's leader has been present at various presidential gatherings, facilitated Trump hand over the Club World Cup cup after that tournament’s final, and has even delayed his the group's assembly to join Trump on a journey to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

This has not stopped, Trump from threatening the removal of FIFA World Cup matches from additional American venues. In late September, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis faced comparable criticism, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “led by ideological activists who don’t know what they’re doing,” while challenging the public safety of both areas and suggesting that matches could be removed.

FIFA Response

The organization's deputy Montagliani dismissed Trump’s claims when he commented afterward at a gathering in England.

“This is FIFA’s tournament, under our authority, FIFA makes these matters,” he said. “With all due respect to current world leaders, soccer is transcends them and football will survive their tenure and their policies. That is the beauty of football, that it is transcends one leader and more important than individual states.”

Olympics Threat

Similarly, Trump’s answer to a inquiry about the Massachusetts city extended to a parallel statement regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“When I thought Los Angeles was failing to be adequately ready, I'd relocate it to another location as needed,” he said. “For the Olympics I’d probably have to secure a different kind of consent, but we would take that action.”

Official consent Trump alluded to would have to come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their head, she, was elected to her role in March and has yet to meet publicly with Trump, but she said that she would like a discussion with the US figure at some point.

Other Remarks

Trump also questioned California governor Newsom’s response of the California fires, stating that a comparable scenario could cause the removal of the event.

“If the governor doesn’t play ball, we are going to have to be very tough,” Trump commented.

His statement was similarly unambiguous for Boston.

“They better improve their situation,” he remarked. “That is I can say.”