🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump has yet again stated he would pressure FIFA to relocate 2026 World Cup events from a designated city based on municipal political climate, with the Boston region now being the latest such city to receive such warnings from the US president. Moreover, Trump suggested he would consider similar action against LA for the 2028 Olympics due to perceived security concerns.

Jurisdictional Limits and Potential Influence

While Trump lacks formal power to unilaterally remove either event, he can exert influence the organizing committees managing each tournament to move locations.

Setting for Statements

His remarks were made during a media briefing with Argentinian president Milei, who was at the White House following the disclosure of a multibillion-dollar financial assistance for the South American nation. At the end of the event, a media member inquired Trump about a recent public disturbance in downtown Boston where authorities were assaulted and a cruiser was set on fire. The correspondent also questioned if these incidents could lead to the revocation of organizing rights for the expanded football competition.

“It's possible to take them away,” he stated about the FIFA World Cup games, scheduled to be staged at the Massachusetts arena. “Their mayor is poor … she’s extremist, and activists are occupying areas of downtown. That’s a significant assertion, right?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Street takeovers, a social media-driven phenomenon where groups of people congregate on city streets during nighttime to perform stunts, have been a repeated nuisance in metropolitan centers since the coronavirus restrictions. Current such gatherings have become aggressive in the region, including Boston. Yet, these gatherings are generally not regarded as associated with any specific partisan agenda.

“In cases where someone is doing a bad job, and I feel exist dangerous circumstances, I'd call the organization's president, who is outstanding, and say we should relocate it to a different city,” Trump stated during the event. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy to do it, but he’d do it. Very easily, he would.”

Organizational Alignment

The organization's head has been open his efforts to be closely connected with the former president before the upcoming World Cup, set to be hosted in multiple US locations across the US along with several in Canada and a few in Mexico. The organization's leader has participated at various Oval Office functions, facilitated Trump present the club tournament trophy after the championship match, and has even postponed his the group's assembly to accompany Trump on a visit to the Middle East this year.

Previous Threats

This has not stopped, Trump from threatening the relocation of FIFA World Cup matches from other US host cities. In late September, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis faced parallel comments, with Trump claiming both cities were “led by ideological activists who lack understanding what they are doing,” while questioning the safety level of both cities and suggesting that matches could be shifted.

Official Rebuttal

FIFA vice-president Montagliani dismissed Trump’s statements when he responded days later at a conference in the UK capital.

“It is FIFA’s tournament, our responsibility, the organization determines such choices,” the vice-president stated. “Politely to sitting presidents, soccer is more important than any individual and soccer will survive their administration and their government. It's the beauty of this sport, that it is bigger than any individual and beyond individual states.”

2028 Comments

During the event, Trump’s reply to a query about Boston included a similar threat regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“When I thought the city was not prepared properly, I would shift it to an alternate venue if necessary,” he said. “For the Olympics I might have to secure a alternative consent, but we will take that action.”

The permission Trump refers to would have to come from the IOC. Their head, she, was chosen to her position in spring and has so far not meet publicly with him, though she said that she desires a meeting with the US figure at some point.

Further Comments

Trump also condemned California governor Newsom’s handling of the LA wildfires, stating that a comparable scenario could cause the cancellation of the Olympics.

“In case the governor doesn’t play ball, we’re gonna have to be very tough,” he commented.

His statement was equally unambiguous for Boston.

“Boston should improve their situation,” Trump stated. “That’s all my message.”