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Former President Trump has repeatedly declared he would urge FIFA to relocate 2026 World Cup matches from a host city based on that city's governance, with Massachusetts emerging as the third such city to encounter such statements from the White House. Moreover, Trump suggested he would evaluate parallel steps against Southern California for the 2028 Olympics due to potential public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Potential Influence

Even though Trump holds no direct legal authority to directly relocate either tournament, he is able to exert influence the international organizations managing each event to move venues.

Context of Remarks

The remarks were made during a media briefing with Argentinian president Milei, who was at the White House following the announcement of a multibillion-dollar rescue package for the South American economy. At the close of the event, a journalist questioned Trump about a current public disturbance in downtown Boston where authorities were assaulted and a cruiser was ignited. The correspondent also asked if these incidents could cause the removal of organizing rights for the expanded soccer tournament.

“We could take them away,” he remarked regarding the World Cup fixtures, planned to be staged at Gillette Stadium. “Their mayor is ineffective … they're far-left, and they are taking over parts of downtown. That is a pretty big statement, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Public Safety Concerns

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven trend where groups of people congregate on urban roads after dark to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have been a repeated nuisance in metropolitan centers since the Covid-19 pandemic shutdowns. Current similar events have turned violent in Massachusetts, specifically in Boston. Nevertheless, these occurrences are typically not seen as linked to any distinct political ideology.

“When a mayor is doing a bad job, and I perceive exist dangerous circumstances, I'd call the organization's president, who is phenomenal, and suggest we should relocate it to another location,” he commented on Tuesday. “He'd do that. He might not prefer to do it, but he’d do it. Without hesitation, he'd comply.”

Organizational Alignment

FIFA President has publicly acknowledged his attempts to be visibly associated with Trump ahead of the 2026 event, planned to be staged in multiple US locations across the America along with several in Canada and three in the southern neighbor. The head has participated at several presidential events, arranged for Trump present the club tournament award after that tournament’s final, and has even rescheduled his FIFA's internal meeting to travel with Trump on a journey to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

Despite this, Trump from threatening the relocation of World Cup games from different locations. On September 25, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis came under comparable comments, with Trump asserting both locations were “governed by ideological activists who lack understanding what they're managing,” while criticizing the public safety of both areas and implying that matches could be removed.

Official Rebuttal

Victor Montagliani rejected Trump’s assertions when he commented subsequently at a conference in the UK capital.

“This is the organization's event, FIFA’s jurisdiction, we decide these matters,” Montagliani stated. “Politely to national heads, football is transcends political figures and the game will outlast their regime and their policies. That is the strength of this sport, that it is transcends one leader and bigger than any country.”

Olympics Threat

On Tuesday, Trump’s response to a question about the Massachusetts city extended to a comparable warning regarding the LA Olympic event.

“In case I thought the city was not going to be adequately ready, I'd shift it to a different city if necessary,” he remarked. “On that one I’d probably have to obtain a alternative consent, but we will take that action.”

The permission Trump refers to would must come via the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The leader, the newly elected president, was selected to her role in this year and has so far not meet publicly with the former president, though she indicated that she hopes for a discussion with the US figure at eventually.

Further Comments

Trump also condemned the state's leader Newsom’s response of the LA wildfires, remarking that a similar situation could result in the cancellation of the Games.

“When he refuses to cooperate, we will have to be firm,” the former president commented.

The warning was similarly direct for the Massachusetts city.

“The city must improve their situation,” he remarked. “That is my message.”