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Former President Trump has repeatedly stated he would pressure FIFA to relocate 2026 World Cup games from a venue based on the local politics, with Boston now being the third such city to face such threats from the US president. Additionally, Trump suggested he would evaluate comparable measures against Southern California for the upcoming Olympic Games due to potential public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Possible Pressure

Even though Trump lacks direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either tournament, he can apply pressure the respective governing bodies in charge of each competition to shift locations.

Context of Remarks

These comments were made during a press event with Argentinian president Milei, who was visiting the White House following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar rescue package for the Latin American country. Toward the conclusion of the gathering, a journalist asked Trump about a current unauthorized gathering in downtown Boston where police officers were assaulted and a patrol car was set on fire. The reporter also asked if these incidents could lead to the removal of hosting duties for the 48-team football competition.

“We could take them away,” he said regarding the FIFA World Cup fixtures, scheduled to be staged at Gillette Stadium. “The city's leader is not good … they're extremist, and they’re taking over sections of the city. That’s a pretty big statement, don't you think?”

Urban Disturbances and Ideological Perceptions

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven occurrence where large crowds gather on city streets during nighttime to perform stunts, have become a ongoing problem in US urban areas since the lockdown shutdowns. Latest such gatherings have become aggressive in the state, including downtown. However, these events are generally not regarded as linked to any particular ideological group.

“In cases where a mayor is doing a bad job, and I feel exist dangerous circumstances, I'd call the organization's president, who is excellent, and say we should relocate it to another location,” the former president commented on Tuesday. “He'd do that. He might not prefer to do it, but he'd agree. Very easily, he'd comply.”

Political Connections

Gianni Infantino has been open his strategies to be closely connected with Trump prior to next year’s tournament, set to be staged in numerous American venues across the US along with two in the northern neighbor and a few in the southern neighbor. The head has participated at multiple presidential events, facilitated Trump hand over the FIFA club trophy after the championship match, and has even rescheduled his the group's assembly to accompany Trump on a trip to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

This has not stopped, Trump from threatening the relocation of FIFA World Cup events from additional American venues. On September 25, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis came under similar criticism, with Trump claiming both urban centers were “led by ideological activists who are clueless what they are doing,” while challenging the public safety of both cities and implying that matches could be removed.

Official Rebuttal

FIFA vice-president Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s assertions when he commented days later at a conference in the UK capital.

“This is FIFA’s tournament, under our authority, FIFA makes these matters,” Montagliani said. “Politely to sitting presidents, football is bigger than them and soccer will survive their administration and their government. That’s the essence of this sport, that it is bigger than any individual and more important than individual states.”

Olympics Threat

On Tuesday, Trump’s response to a question about the Massachusetts city veered into a comparable warning regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“When I believed the city was not going to be adequately ready, I'd move it to another location if I had to,” he said. “On that one I may have to get a varying consent, but we would do that.”

The permission Trump alluded to would have to come from the IOC. The head, the newly elected president, was elected to her post in spring and has so far not meet publicly with the former president, although she stated that she desires a discussion with Trump at some point.

Additional Criticism

Trump also condemned the state's leader Newsom’s response of recent blazes, stating that a comparable scenario could lead to the relocation of the event.

“In case the governor refuses to cooperate, we’re gonna have to be firm,” Trump stated.

His statement was equally clear for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston must improve their situation,” Trump stated. “That’s all I will say.”