🔗 Share this article

Former President Trump has once again announced he would influence FIFA to relocate global soccer tournament matches from a venue based on the local governance, with Massachusetts becoming the latest urban area to encounter such threats from the American leader. Furthermore, Trump indicated he would consider parallel steps against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to possible safety issues.

Jurisdictional Limits and Informal Leverage

Although Trump does not have formal power to personally cancel either event, he may apply pressure the international organizations in charge of each competition to change venues.

Setting for Statements

His statements were made during a media briefing with Javier Milei, who was present in the White House following the revelation of a massive financial assistance for the Argentine nation. Near the end of the event, a reporter inquired Trump about a latest unauthorized gathering in Boston where authorities were attacked and a patrol car was burned. The reporter also asked if these incidents could result in the removal of organizing rights for the larger soccer tournament.

“It's possible to take them away,” he stated concerning the soccer matches, set to be staged at the Foxborough venue. “The city's leader is ineffective … she is far-left, and they are dominating areas of downtown. It's a pretty big statement, isn't it?”

Public Gatherings and Political Context

Street takeovers, a online-fueled occurrence where participants assemble on urban roads during nighttime to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have emerged as a repeated nuisance in US urban areas since the Covid-19 pandemic closures. Recent similar events have turned violent in the region, including downtown. Yet, these gatherings are generally not seen as tied to any specific partisan agenda.

“When someone is doing a bad job, and I perceive there are security risks, I would call the FIFA head, who is excellent, and tell him it should be shifted to another location,” the former president said publicly. “He will do that. He may not enjoy the action, but he’d do it. Without hesitation, he would.”

Political Connections

FIFA President has made no secret his strategies to be closely connected with the US leader before next year’s tournament, set to be organized in multiple US locations across the US along with two in Canada and three in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has appeared at various presidential functions, arranged for Trump present the club tournament award after the concluding game, and has even delayed his FIFA's internal meeting to travel with Trump on a visit to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Despite this, Trump from threatening the cancellation of World Cup events from other US host cities. In late September, Seattle and San Francisco faced parallel statements, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “led by ideological activists who lack understanding what they’re doing,” while questioning the security conditions of both locales and implying that events could be shifted.

Organizational Statement

The organization's deputy Montagliani dismissed Trump’s claims when he responded days later at a gathering in London.

“It is the organization's event, our responsibility, the organization determines these matters,” the vice-president said. “Respectfully to national heads, the sport is more important than political figures and football will endure their administration and their policies. That’s the essence of our game, that it is more significant than one leader and more important than any country.”

2028 Comments

During the event, Trump’s reply to a question about the Massachusetts city extended to a parallel statement regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“If I thought Los Angeles was not prepared properly, I will relocate it to a different city if necessary,” Trump stated. “For the Olympics I might have to get a varying permission, but we would proceed.”

Any approval Trump refers to would have to come through the IOC. The head, she, was elected to her role in March and has not yet appear together with the former president, though she indicated that she desires a discussion with the US figure at some point.

Other Remarks

Trump also questioned Gavin Newsom’s management of recent LA wildfires, remarking that a comparable scenario could result in the relocation of the event.

“When he refuses to cooperate, we’re gonna have to be strict,” Trump said.

His statement was just as clear for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston should address these issues,” he remarked. “That’s all my message.”