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Former President Trump has repeatedly declared he would influence FIFA to remove global soccer tournament matches from a designated city based on that city's politics, with Boston emerging as the third targeted location to receive such threats from the American leader. Moreover, Trump suggested he would evaluate similar action against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to perceived security concerns.

Legal Authority and Possible Pressure

While Trump holds no official jurisdiction to personally cancel either competition, he can apply pressure the respective governing bodies in charge of each event to shift locations.

Setting for Statements

The statements were made during a press event with Argentinian president Milei, who was visiting the presidential residence following the announcement of a $20 billion rescue package for the Latin American country. At the close of the event, a media member inquired Trump about a current “street takeover” in downtown Boston where police officers were targeted and a patrol car was set on fire. The correspondent also wondered if the situation could lead to the revocation of hosting duties for the 48-team soccer tournament.

“I would take them away,” Trump said regarding the World Cup matches, scheduled to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “The city's leader is not good … they're extremist, and activists are taking over areas of downtown. That is a pretty big statement, right?”

Urban Disturbances and Political Context

Public disruptions, a online-fueled phenomenon where participants congregate on city streets late at night to perform stunts, have been a repeated issue in American cities since the Covid-19 pandemic closures. Recent similar events have escalated into violence in Massachusetts, notably in Boston. Nevertheless, these occurrences are generally not considered associated with any particular ideological group.

“In cases where a city is failing, and I perceive there’s dangerous circumstances, I'd call Gianni [Infantino], who is outstanding, and say we should relocate it to a different city,” the former president commented during the event. “He'd do that. He might not prefer to do it, but he’d do it. Very easily, he’d do it.”

FIFA Relationship

FIFA President has made no secret his attempts to be closely connected with Trump ahead of next year’s tournament, set to be hosted in numerous American venues across the America along with two in Canada and multiple in Mexico. The organization's leader has participated at multiple Oval Office functions, had Trump deliver the FIFA club cup after that tournament’s final, and has even delayed his the group's assembly to accompany Trump on a visit to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Past Statements

Despite this, Trump from threatening the relocation of FIFA World Cup games from different locations. Recently, Seattle and San Francisco came under parallel statements, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “run by ideological activists who lack understanding what they’re doing,” while challenging the safety level of both locales and implying that matches could be shifted.

Official Rebuttal

FIFA vice-president Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he reacted afterward at a gathering in the UK capital.

“This is the organization's event, our responsibility, the organization determines those decisions,” Montagliani stated. “Respectfully to national heads, football is bigger than any individual and soccer will outlast their tenure and their policies. That is the beauty of this sport, that it is bigger than a single person and more important than a nation.”

Olympics Threat

On Tuesday, Trump’s response to a question about the Massachusetts city included a similar threat regarding the LA Olympic event.

“If I thought the city was not going to be sufficiently organized, I will move it to another location if I had to,” Trump stated. “For the Olympics I may have to get a alternative consent, but we'd proceed.”

Any approval Trump mentioned would need to come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The leader, Kirsty Coventry, was elected to her post in this year and has so far not hold a public appearance with Trump, though she said that she would like a sit-down with the US figure at eventually.

Other Remarks

The former president also criticized Gavin Newsom’s management of recent LA wildfires, saying that a comparable scenario could lead to the cancellation of the Games.

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

His statement was just as unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“The city must address these issues,” he remarked. “That is I will say.”