🔗 Share this article Trump Suggests Relocation of 2026 World Cup Matches from the Boston area, Olympics from LA Former President Trump has once again announced he would influence FIFA to relocate 2026 World Cup matches from a designated city based on the local governance, with Massachusetts emerging as the third targeted location to face such statements from the American leader. Moreover, Trump suggested he would contemplate comparable measures against Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics due to perceived public safety risks. Official Power and Potential Influence Even though Trump does not have formal power to personally cancel either competition, he can lobby the international organizations overseeing each event to shift locations. Setting for Statements His statements were made during a media briefing with Javier Milei, who was at the executive mansion following the disclosure of a massive financial assistance for the South American economy. At the end of the gathering, a journalist asked Trump about a current “street takeover” in the city where law enforcement were assaulted and a patrol car was set on fire. The correspondent also wondered if the situation could cause the revocation of organizing rights for the expanded football competition. “I would take them away,” the former president said regarding the World Cup games, planned to be held at the Foxborough venue. “The city's leader is not good … she’s radical left, and activists are taking over areas of Boston. That’s a pretty big statement, don't you think?” Street Takeovers and Political Context Public disruptions, a social media-driven trend where participants assemble on city streets after dark to engage in dangerous driving, have emerged as a repeated issue in US urban areas since the Covid-19 pandemic shutdowns. Recent incidents have turned violent in the region, specifically in the city. However, these occurrences are typically not seen as linked to any specific political ideology. “In cases where a mayor is doing a bad job, and I perceive there are security risks, I would call Gianni [Infantino], who is excellent, and suggest let’s move it to an alternate venue,” he commented on Tuesday. “He will do that. He might not prefer the action, but he’d do it. Without hesitation, he'd comply.” Political Connections The organization's head has publicly acknowledged his strategies to be publicly aligned with the former president ahead of the 2026 event, set to be staged in multiple US locations across the United States along with two in Canada and multiple in Mexico. The FIFA president has been present at multiple White House gatherings, facilitated Trump deliver the Club World Cup cup after the concluding game, and has even postponed his FIFA's internal meeting to join Trump on a visit to the Middle East this year. Previous Threats Despite this, Trump from warning about the relocation of FIFA World Cup games from different locations. In late September, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis came under parallel statements, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “led by far-left extremists who are clueless what they're managing,” while questioning the public safety of both cities and implying that matches could be relocated. Organizational Statement FIFA vice-president Montagliani rejected Trump’s assertions when he reacted days later at a conference in the UK capital. “It’s FIFA’s tournament, under our authority, we decide those decisions,” Montagliani declared. “Politely to sitting presidents, soccer is more important than them and football will survive their tenure and their leadership. It's the beauty of football, that it is transcends any individual and more important than a nation.” Olympics Threat Similarly, Trump’s answer to a question about the Massachusetts city veered into a similar threat regarding the LA Olympic event. “In case I perceived the city was not sufficiently organized, I'd relocate it to an alternate venue if necessary,” he remarked. “For the Olympics I may have to obtain a alternative consent, but we would proceed.” The permission Trump alluded to would have to come from the IOC. Their head, she, was selected to her position in this year and has not yet meet publicly with the former president, although she indicated that she desires a sit-down with Trump at some point. Additional Criticism He also condemned Gavin Newsom’s response of the California fires, stating that a comparable scenario could result in the cancellation of the Games. “If Newsom is uncooperative, we are going to have to be very tough,” he stated. His statement was similarly clear for the Massachusetts city. “The city should clean up their act,” Trump stated. “It's my message.”