🔗 Share this article Trump Suggests Relocation of 2026 World Cup Fixtures from Boston, Olympics from California Former President Trump has once again stated he would urge FIFA to remove upcoming World Cup matches from a designated city based on the local politics, with Boston emerging as the third urban area to receive such statements from the White House. Furthermore, Trump remarked he would evaluate similar action against LA for the upcoming Olympic Games due to potential public safety risks. Jurisdictional Limits and Potential Influence Even though Trump lacks official jurisdiction to personally cancel either competition, he is able to exert influence the international organizations overseeing each tournament to shift locations. Background of Comments These statements were made during a press event with Argentinian president Milei, who was present in the White House following the revelation of a massive rescue package for the South American country. Near the close of the meeting, a journalist questioned Trump about a recent “street takeover” in the city where police officers were attacked and a cruiser was ignited. The correspondent also asked if these incidents could lead to the removal of hosting duties for the larger soccer tournament. “I would take them away,” he said concerning the FIFA World Cup fixtures, scheduled to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “Their mayor is ineffective … she is extremist, and they are dominating sections of Boston. It's a major assertion, don't you think?” Public Gatherings and Political Context Street takeovers, a social media-driven phenomenon where groups of people gather on city streets late at night to perform stunts, have been a ongoing problem in metropolitan centers since the coronavirus shutdowns. Latest similar events have escalated into violence in the state, including the city. Nevertheless, these events are usually not considered tied to any particular partisan agenda. “If a city is performing poorly, and I perceive there are dangerous circumstances, I'd call the FIFA head, who is outstanding, and suggest it should be shifted to another location,” Trump commented publicly. “And he would do that. He may not enjoy to do it, but he’d do it. Very easily, he’d do it.” FIFA Relationship Gianni Infantino has been open his attempts to be closely connected with the former president ahead of the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to be staged in 11 cities across the United States along with two in Canada and multiple in Mexico. The organization's leader has appeared at multiple Oval Office events, facilitated Trump deliver the Club World Cup award after the concluding game, and has even delayed his FIFA's internal meeting to join Trump on a visit to the Gulf states this year. Previous Threats Despite this, Trump from suggesting the relocation of World Cup events from additional American venues. Recently, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis were comparable comments, with Trump stating both urban centers were “run by ideological activists who are clueless what they are doing,” while challenging the public safety of both areas and suggesting that games could be relocated. FIFA Response Victor Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s statements when he commented afterward at a event in England. “This is FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, we decide those decisions,” Montagliani said. “Respectfully to sitting presidents, the sport is bigger than any individual and the game will outlast their regime and their policies. That’s the beauty of football, that it is bigger than one leader and beyond any country.” LA Games Warning Similarly, Trump’s response to a query about Boston extended to a comparable warning regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. “In case I believed the city was not going to be adequately ready, I would shift it to an alternate venue as needed,” he remarked. “Regarding that event I may have to obtain a different kind of permission, but we would do that.” The permission Trump refers to would need to come through the Olympic governing body. Their president, she, was elected to her post in spring and has not yet hold a public appearance with the former president, though she said that she hopes for a sit-down with him at eventually. Additional Criticism The former president also criticized California governor Newsom’s response of this year’s LA wildfires, remarking that a similar situation could result in the removal of the Games. “If Newsom is uncooperative, we’re gonna have to be very tough,” he said. His statement was equally direct for the Massachusetts city. “They should clean up their act,” he remarked. “It's my message.”