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Former President Trump has once again announced he would urge FIFA to remove 2026 World Cup games from a host city based on the local political climate, with Massachusetts now being the most recent such city to face such threats from the US president. Additionally, Trump remarked he would consider similar action against Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics due to perceived public safety risks.

Jurisdictional Limits and Informal Leverage

Although Trump lacks official jurisdiction to directly relocate either event, he can lobby the organizing committees overseeing each tournament to change venues.

Setting for Statements

The comments were made during a press event with Argentinian president Milei, who was at the executive mansion following the announcement of a $20 billion financial assistance for the South American country. Toward the conclusion of the meeting, a reporter inquired Trump about a recent unauthorized gathering in the city where authorities were attacked and a police vehicle was burned. The journalist also questioned if these incidents could lead to the loss of tournament responsibilities for the larger football competition.

“I would take them away,” he said concerning the FIFA World Cup matches, scheduled to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “The city's leader is not good … she’s far-left, and they are dominating parts of downtown. It's a significant assertion, don't you think?”

Street Takeovers and Ideological Perceptions

Street takeovers, a social media-driven phenomenon where large crowds congregate on city streets during nighttime to engage in dangerous driving, have become a repeated issue in US urban areas since the lockdown closures. Latest similar events have escalated into violence in the region, including downtown. Yet, these gatherings are generally not seen as associated with any particular ideological group.

“In cases where someone is failing, and I believe there’s unsafe conditions, I'd call the FIFA head, who is excellent, and tell him let’s move it to an alternate venue,” the former president commented during the event. “He will do that. He may not enjoy the action, but he would comply. Readily, he’d do it.”

FIFA Relationship

Gianni Infantino has made no secret his efforts to be publicly aligned with the US leader ahead of the 2026 event, scheduled to be staged in multiple US locations across the US along with a couple in the northern neighbor and multiple in Mexico. The organization's leader has been present at multiple Oval Office gatherings, facilitated Trump hand over 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 Middle East earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

Nevertheless, Trump from suggesting the removal of soccer matches from additional American venues. On September 25, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis were similar statements, with Trump claiming both urban centers were “governed by radical left lunatics who lack understanding what they are doing,” while questioning the security conditions of both areas and implying that matches could be shifted.

FIFA Response

FIFA vice-president Montagliani dismissed Trump’s assertions when he commented afterward at a gathering in London.

“It is our competition, FIFA’s jurisdiction, the organization determines such choices,” the vice-president declared. “With all due respect to national heads, football is more important than them and soccer will endure their tenure and their government. That’s the essence of this sport, that it is more significant than a single person and beyond a nation.”

LA Games Warning

Similarly, Trump’s response to a question about the Massachusetts city included a comparable warning regarding the LA Olympic event.

“In case I perceived Los Angeles was not going to be sufficiently organized, I will relocate it to another location if necessary,” he remarked. “For the Olympics I may have to obtain a different kind of approval, but we would take that action.”

Official consent Trump refers to would need to come through the IOC. Their head, she, was elected to her post in this year and has not yet appear together with Trump, but she said that she would like a discussion with him at some point.

Other Remarks

He also questioned California governor Newsom’s response of this year’s LA wildfires, stating that a similar situation could result in the cancellation of the Games.

“When he refuses to cooperate, we are going to have to be firm,” Trump said.

The warning was similarly unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“They better improve their situation,” he said. “It's my message.”