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Ex-president Trump has repeatedly stated he would pressure FIFA to relocate global soccer tournament games from a venue based on the local political climate, with Boston now being the latest targeted location to receive such statements from the US president. Furthermore, Trump indicated he would evaluate comparable measures against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to perceived public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Potential Influence

While Trump holds no formal power to directly relocate either event, he may lobby the organizing committees overseeing each tournament to move venues.

Context of Remarks

His comments were made during a media briefing with Javier Milei, who was visiting the White House following the disclosure of a $20 billion bailout for the Latin American economy. Near the end of the event, a reporter inquired Trump about a current unauthorized gathering in the city where police officers were targeted and a cruiser was set on fire. The correspondent also wondered if such events could lead to the removal of tournament responsibilities for the 48-team football competition.

“It's possible to take them away,” the former president stated regarding the FIFA World Cup games, scheduled to be staged at the Massachusetts arena. “Their mayor is not good … they're far-left, and they’re occupying sections of Boston. That’s a pretty big assertion, isn't it?”

Street Takeovers and Public Safety Concerns

Street takeovers, a social media-driven trend where groups of people gather on public avenues after dark to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have become a ongoing problem in metropolitan centers since the lockdown shutdowns. Current incidents have turned violent in the state, including Boston. Nevertheless, these events are generally not seen as linked to any distinct political ideology.

“When someone is doing a bad job, and I believe there are unsafe conditions, I will call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and suggest we should relocate it to an alternate venue,” Trump said publicly. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy the action, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he’d do it.”

Political Connections

The organization's head has been open his strategies to be closely connected with Trump prior to the 2026 event, set to be staged in 11 cities across the United States along with several in the northern neighbor and three in Mexico. The organization's leader has participated at multiple White House gatherings, facilitated Trump hand over the Club World Cup award after the concluding game, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to travel with Trump on a trip to the Gulf states this year.

Earlier Warnings

Despite this, Trump from suggesting the removal of World Cup matches from additional American venues. In late September, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis came under parallel criticism, with Trump stating both cities were “run by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they are doing,” while challenging the safety level of both areas and implying that games could be removed.

Organizational Statement

FIFA vice-president Montagliani dismissed Trump’s statements when he commented subsequently at a gathering in the UK capital.

“It is FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, we decide these matters,” Montagliani stated. “With all due respect to sitting presidents, soccer is more important than political figures and the game will outlast their administration and their leadership. That is the strength of this sport, that it is more significant than any individual and more important than any country.”

2028 Comments

On Tuesday, Trump’s response to a inquiry about the Massachusetts city included a parallel statement regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“If I perceived LA was not going to be sufficiently organized, I will move it to a different city as needed,” he said. “Regarding that event I may have to secure a alternative consent, but we will do that.”

The permission Trump alluded to would must come from the IOC. Their president, the newly elected president, was selected to her post in March and has so far not meet publicly with Trump, though she said that she hopes for a discussion with the US figure at a future time.

Other Remarks

The former president also condemned Gavin Newsom’s handling of this year’s LA wildfires, remarking that a similar situation could result in the cancellation of the event.

“If Newsom refuses to cooperate, we’re gonna have to be firm,” he said.

His statement was just as unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“They better improve their situation,” Trump stated. “That is my message.”