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Former President Trump has repeatedly declared he would urge FIFA to remove global soccer tournament games from a host city based on municipal political climate, with Massachusetts now being the latest urban area to face such statements from the US president. Additionally, Trump indicated he would evaluate similar action against Southern California for the upcoming Olympic Games due to perceived security concerns.

Official Power and Potential Influence

Although Trump does not have official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either tournament, he can lobby the respective governing bodies in charge of each tournament to change venues.

Background of Comments

These remarks were made during a media briefing with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the executive mansion following the disclosure of a $20 billion financial assistance for the Latin American economy. Toward the conclusion of the event, a media member asked Trump about a recent unauthorized gathering in the city where police officers were targeted and a police vehicle was ignited. The correspondent also asked if the situation could result in the removal of tournament responsibilities for the 48-team World Cup.

“It's possible to take them away,” the former president said about the soccer matches, planned to be held at Gillette Stadium. “Their mayor is ineffective … she is radical left, and they’re taking over parts of Boston. That is a pretty big assertion, right?”

Urban Disturbances and Political Context

Public disruptions, a social media-driven phenomenon where groups of people gather on urban roads late at night to perform stunts, have emerged as a ongoing problem in metropolitan centers since the coronavirus restrictions. Latest such gatherings have escalated into violence in the state, including Boston. Yet, these occurrences are generally not regarded as associated with any particular political ideology.

“In cases where a city is doing a bad job, and I believe there’s security risks, I'd call Gianni [Infantino], who is outstanding, and tell him it should be shifted to another location,” Trump commented during the event. “He will do that. He may not enjoy to do it, but he’d do it. Readily, he would.”

Organizational Alignment

The organization's head has made no secret his efforts to be publicly aligned with Trump prior to the 2026 event, set to be staged in multiple US locations across the US along with several in Canada and three in Mexico. The head has appeared at multiple presidential events, had Trump hand over the Club World Cup trophy after that tournament’s final, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to travel with Trump on a visit to the Middle East earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Despite this, Trump from suggesting the relocation of World Cup events from different locations. On September 25, the Washington city and San Francisco came under parallel comments, with Trump asserting both cities were “governed by radical left lunatics who lack understanding what they’re doing,” while criticizing the security conditions of both areas and suggesting that games could be relocated.

Organizational Statement

Victor Montagliani rejected Trump’s claims when he reacted afterward at a event in England.

“It is the organization's event, our responsibility, the organization determines those decisions,” the vice-president stated. “With all due respect to sitting presidents, football is transcends political figures and soccer will survive their administration and their government. It's the beauty of our game, that it is more significant than a single person and bigger than a nation.”

LA Games Warning

Similarly, Trump’s answer to a question about the Massachusetts city veered into a comparable warning regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“If I perceived LA was not going to be adequately ready, I would shift it to another location as needed,” Trump stated. “On that one I’d probably have to obtain a varying permission, but we would do that.”

Any approval Trump mentioned would must come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The head, the newly elected president, was chosen to her post in this year and has not yet hold a public appearance with the former president, but she stated that she hopes for a meeting with Trump at some point.

Further Comments

Trump also questioned California governor Newsom’s response of this year’s California fires, stating that a comparable scenario could lead to the cancellation of the Olympics.

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

His statement was similarly direct for Boston.

“The city should improve their situation,” he remarked. “It's I can say.”