Trump Warns of Removal of 2026 World Cup Matches from Massachusetts, 2028 Olympics from LA

Ex-president Trump has repeatedly stated he would urge FIFA to pull global soccer tournament games from a host city based on municipal political climate, with Massachusetts emerging as the latest such city to encounter such threats from the American leader. Furthermore, Trump remarked he would consider similar action against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to possible safety issues.

Official Power and Informal Leverage

While Trump does not have formal power to directly relocate either tournament, he may exert influence the organizing committees in charge of each competition to move venues.

Context of Remarks

His statements were made during a press event with Javier Milei, who was visiting the executive mansion following the announcement of a $20 billion bailout for the Latin American economy. Toward the conclusion of the event, a journalist questioned Trump about a recent unauthorized gathering in Boston where authorities were assaulted and a patrol car was ignited. The reporter also asked if the situation could lead to the revocation of tournament responsibilities for the 48-team football competition.

“I would take them away,” he stated concerning the World Cup matches, set to be held at the Foxborough venue. “The city's leader is poor … they're radical left, and activists are dominating areas of the city. That’s a major claim, isn't it?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a digitally organized phenomenon where participants gather on urban roads after dark to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have emerged as a frequent problem in metropolitan centers since the lockdown restrictions. Latest such gatherings have escalated into violence in Massachusetts, including downtown. Nevertheless, these gatherings are usually not regarded as associated with any distinct partisan agenda.

“In cases where someone is doing a bad job, and I believe exist security risks, I would call the organization's president, who is phenomenal, and suggest let’s move it to an alternate venue,” Trump stated on Tuesday. “And he would do that. He might not prefer the action, but he'd agree. Readily, he’d do it.”

FIFA Relationship

FIFA President has been open his attempts to be closely connected with Trump ahead of the upcoming World Cup, set to be organized in 11 cities across the US along with a couple in Canada and three in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has participated at several White House functions, facilitated Trump hand over the FIFA club cup after that tournament’s final, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to accompany Trump on a trip to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

This has not stopped, Trump from threatening the relocation of soccer matches from other US host cities. Recently, Seattle and San Francisco came under parallel statements, with Trump stating both cities were “governed by far-left extremists who are clueless what they're managing,” while criticizing the public safety of both cities and implying that games could be shifted.

Organizational Statement

FIFA vice-president Montagliani dismissed Trump’s assertions when he reacted subsequently at a event in the UK capital.

“It is FIFA’s tournament, our responsibility, FIFA makes these matters,” Montagliani declared. “Respectfully to national heads, soccer is more important than any individual and football will endure their regime and their government. That is the beauty of this sport, that it is more significant than one leader and more important than individual states.”

LA Games Warning

During the event, Trump’s answer to a inquiry about Boston extended to a similar threat regarding the LA Olympic event.

“If I thought the city was failing to be sufficiently organized, I'd shift it to an alternate venue if I had to,” he said. “On that one I may have to secure a alternative approval, but we will proceed.”

Any approval Trump alluded to would have to come through the IOC. Their head, she, was selected to her position in March and has so far not appear together with the former president, but she said that she would like a sit-down with Trump at eventually.

Additional Criticism

The former president also condemned Gavin Newsom’s response of this year’s blazes, stating that a comparable scenario could result in the cancellation of the event.

“When he is uncooperative, we are going to have to be strict,” he commented.

The warning was equally direct for the Massachusetts city.

“They should clean up their act,” Trump stated. “That’s all I will say.”