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Former President Trump has repeatedly stated he would influence FIFA to remove global soccer tournament events from a host city based on that city's politics, with Boston emerging as the latest such city to receive such threats from the American leader. Moreover, Trump remarked he would consider parallel steps against Los Angeles for the 2028 Summer Games due to possible safety issues.

Jurisdictional Limits and Informal Leverage

Even though Trump lacks official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either tournament, he may lobby the international organizations in charge of each tournament to shift host cities.

Setting for Statements

The remarks were made during a press event with Argentinian president Milei, who was present in the presidential residence following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar financial assistance for the Latin American country. At the close of the event, a journalist questioned Trump about a recent public disturbance in downtown Boston where authorities were targeted and a patrol car was burned. The correspondent also asked if such events could result in the removal of organizing rights for the 48-team World Cup.

“We could take them away,” the former president remarked regarding the World Cup fixtures, planned to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “Their mayor is poor … she is far-left, and they are dominating parts of downtown. That is a pretty big statement, right?”

Urban Disturbances and Political Context

Street takeovers, a online-fueled trend where groups of people assemble on urban roads during nighttime to engage in dangerous driving, have emerged as a repeated issue in US urban areas since the lockdown shutdowns. Recent similar events have turned violent in the state, notably in the city. Yet, these events are generally not considered tied to any specific partisan agenda.

“When a city is failing, and I feel there’s security risks, I'd call the organization's president, who is excellent, and say we should relocate it to a different city,” Trump said publicly. “He will do that. He wouldn’t love doing it, but he’d do it. Without hesitation, he would.”

Organizational Alignment

The organization's head has been open his efforts to be visibly associated with Trump ahead of the 2026 event, scheduled to be organized in multiple US locations across the America along with two in Canada and a few in Mexico. The head has been present at various Oval Office events, had Trump present the FIFA club cup after the concluding game, and has even postponed his FIFA's internal meeting to join Trump on a trip to the Gulf states this year.

Earlier Warnings

Despite this, Trump from threatening the removal of FIFA World Cup games from different locations. On September 25, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis came under similar comments, with Trump asserting both cities were “governed by far-left extremists who lack understanding what they’re doing,” while challenging the safety level of both cities and implying that events could be relocated.

FIFA Response

Victor Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s assertions when he reacted days later at a gathering in England.

“This is our competition, under our authority, the organization determines these matters,” Montagliani stated. “Politely to sitting presidents, football is bigger than political figures and the game will survive their regime and their policies. It's the strength of our game, that it is transcends any individual and more important than a nation.”

LA Games Warning

On Tuesday, Trump’s answer to a query about Boston veered into a similar threat regarding the LA Olympic event.

“In case I thought the city was not going to be sufficiently organized, I will relocate it to a different city as needed,” Trump stated. “On that one I might have to get a varying consent, but we'd take that action.”

Official consent Trump refers to would have to come through the Olympic governing body. The president, the newly elected president, was elected to her position in spring and has yet to meet publicly with the former president, but she said that she hopes for a meeting with the US figure at eventually.

Further Comments

The former president also questioned California governor Newsom’s handling of this year’s LA wildfires, stating that a similar situation could lead to the cancellation of the event.

“In case he refuses to cooperate, we’re gonna have to be very tough,” he said.

His statement was similarly clear for Boston.

“Boston should improve their situation,” he said. “It's my message.”