Trump Suggests Removal of 2026 World Cup Games from Boston, Olympic Games from California

Former President Trump has once again stated he would urge FIFA to relocate upcoming World Cup events from a host city based on municipal politics, with the Boston region now being the latest targeted location to encounter such statements from the US president. Moreover, Trump remarked he would evaluate parallel steps against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to possible safety issues.

Official Power and Informal Leverage

While Trump does not have formal power to unilaterally remove either tournament, he may apply pressure the respective governing bodies in charge of each competition to shift host cities.

Setting for Statements

The comments were made during a media briefing with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the White House following the disclosure of a massive financial assistance for the South American economy. At the close of the meeting, a reporter asked Trump about a current “street takeover” in Boston where police officers were assaulted and a cruiser was ignited. The journalist also wondered if the situation could lead to the revocation of hosting duties for the expanded soccer tournament.

“I would take them away,” Trump stated regarding the World Cup matches, planned to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “She is poor … she is extremist, and they’re occupying areas of Boston. That’s a pretty big assertion, don't you think?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven phenomenon where large crowds congregate on public avenues after dark to engage in dangerous driving, have become a ongoing nuisance in metropolitan centers since the coronavirus shutdowns. Recent similar events have become aggressive in the region, including the city. Yet, these gatherings are usually not regarded as tied to any particular political ideology.

“If a city is doing a bad job, and I perceive there’s security risks, I will call the organization's president, who is phenomenal, and tell him we should relocate it to a different city,” Trump stated publicly. “And he would do that. He might not prefer the action, but he’d do it. Without hesitation, he would.”

FIFA Relationship

Gianni Infantino has been open his efforts to be closely connected with the US leader prior to the 2026 event, set to be hosted in multiple US locations across the US along with two in the northern neighbor and a few in Mexico. The FIFA president has participated at multiple Oval Office events, arranged for Trump present the Club World Cup award after that tournament’s final, and has even rescheduled his FIFA's internal meeting to travel with Trump on a visit to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

Despite this, Trump from warning about the cancellation of soccer events from other US host cities. In late September, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis came under parallel statements, with Trump claiming both cities were “governed by far-left extremists who are clueless what they're managing,” while questioning the security conditions of both cities and suggesting that games could be relocated.

Official Rebuttal

The organization's deputy Montagliani dismissed Trump’s claims when he commented subsequently at a conference in London.

“This is the organization's event, FIFA’s jurisdiction, we decide those decisions,” the vice-president said. “Politely to sitting presidents, soccer is transcends them and soccer will endure their tenure and their government. That’s the essence of football, that it is bigger than a single person and beyond any country.”

Olympics Threat

On Tuesday, Trump’s answer to a inquiry about Boston extended to a comparable warning regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“When I thought the city was not sufficiently organized, I'd relocate it to another location if necessary,” he remarked. “For the Olympics I may have to obtain a different kind of consent, but we would take that action.”

Official consent Trump mentioned would need to come from the IOC. Their president, the newly elected president, was selected to her post in this year and has yet to appear together with the former president, but she said that she desires a meeting with the US figure at a future time.

Further Comments

He also condemned California governor Newsom’s management of this year’s blazes, stating that a similar situation could result in the removal of the Games.

“If the governor refuses to cooperate, we will have to be strict,” Trump said.

The warning was similarly direct for the Massachusetts city.

“The city should improve their situation,” Trump stated. “That’s all my message.”