🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump has yet again declared he would urge FIFA to relocate upcoming World Cup games from a venue based on the local governance, with Massachusetts becoming the most recent such city to face such threats from the American leader. Additionally, Trump suggested he would evaluate similar action against LA for the 2028 Summer Games due to potential security concerns.

Official Power and Informal Leverage

Even though Trump holds no official jurisdiction to directly relocate either tournament, he is able to lobby the international organizations in charge of each competition to change venues.

Background of Comments

These comments were made during a media briefing with Javier Milei, who was present in the White House following the revelation of a $20 billion rescue package for the Latin American country. Near the close of the event, a media member questioned Trump about a latest “street takeover” in the city where law enforcement were assaulted and a police vehicle was set on fire. The journalist also questioned if such events could lead to the removal of hosting duties for the expanded World Cup.

“I would take them away,” Trump stated about the World Cup games, planned to be staged at Gillette Stadium. “The city's leader is poor … she’s extremist, and they’re occupying areas of downtown. That’s a major claim, isn't it?”

Street Takeovers and Public Safety Concerns

Street takeovers, a digitally organized phenomenon where large crowds gather on public avenues late at night to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have emerged as a frequent issue in metropolitan centers since the Covid-19 pandemic closures. Recent similar events have become aggressive in the state, including the city. Nevertheless, these gatherings are usually not considered tied to any particular partisan agenda.

“When a city is failing, and I perceive there’s unsafe conditions, I'd call the organization's president, who is phenomenal, and suggest it should be shifted to a different city,” the former president commented during the event. “He will do that. He wouldn’t love to do it, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he would.”

Political Connections

Gianni Infantino has been open his attempts to be closely connected with Trump ahead of the 2026 event, set to be staged in 11 cities across the United States along with several in Canada and multiple in Mexico. The organization's leader has participated at multiple Oval Office functions, had Trump deliver the FIFA club cup after the championship match, and has even rescheduled his the group's assembly to accompany Trump on a journey to the Middle East previously.

Previous Threats

This has not stopped, Trump from suggesting the relocation of soccer matches from different locations. On September 25, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis faced comparable comments, with Trump stating both locations were “run by far-left extremists who are clueless what they are doing,” while questioning the safety level of both areas and implying that events could be relocated.

Organizational Statement

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

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes such choices,” Montagliani declared. “With all due respect to national heads, soccer is bigger than any individual and the game will endure their tenure and their policies. It's the beauty of this sport, that it is bigger than any individual and bigger than a nation.”

2028 Comments

During the event, Trump’s response to a query about the Massachusetts city extended to a similar threat regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“If I thought Los Angeles was not sufficiently organized, I will shift it to a different city as needed,” Trump stated. “Regarding that event I’d probably have to secure a alternative consent, but we will proceed.”

Official consent Trump alluded to would need to come via the Olympic governing body. The president, the newly elected president, was chosen to her role in March and has so far not appear together with the former president, although she stated that she hopes for a discussion with Trump at eventually.

Further Comments

Trump also criticized California governor Newsom’s handling of recent blazes, stating that a parallel incident could result in the cancellation of the Games.

“In case the governor refuses to cooperate, we are going to have to be strict,” the former president stated.

His statement was just as clear for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston must clean up their act,” he said. “That’s all I can say.”