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Donald Trump has repeatedly stated he would influence FIFA to pull global soccer tournament games from a host city based on that city's political climate, with Massachusetts emerging as the latest urban area to encounter such statements from the US president. Additionally, Trump remarked he would contemplate comparable measures against Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics due to potential public safety risks.

Official Power and Informal Leverage

While Trump holds no official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either tournament, he is able to exert influence the international organizations managing each event to change host cities.

Background of Comments

The statements were made during a press event with Argentinian president Milei, who was present in the White House following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar rescue package for the Latin American country. Near the close of the gathering, a media member questioned Trump about a latest unauthorized gathering in the city where authorities were assaulted and a cruiser was burned. The journalist also wondered if such events could result in the revocation of organizing rights for the expanded football competition.

“It's possible to take them away,” he remarked regarding the World Cup matches, planned to be hosted at Gillette Stadium. “She is not good … she is extremist, and they are dominating sections of the city. That’s a significant statement, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Public Safety Concerns

Public disruptions, a digitally organized trend where participants gather on urban roads after dark to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have been a ongoing issue in US urban areas since the Covid-19 pandemic closures. Recent such gatherings have escalated into violence in the state, notably in the city. However, these events are usually not regarded as tied to any particular political ideology.

“When a mayor is doing a bad job, and I feel there’s unsafe conditions, I will call Gianni [Infantino], who is excellent, and suggest it should be shifted to another location,” the former president commented during the event. “He'd do that. He might not prefer doing it, but he’d do it. Readily, he’d do it.”

Organizational Alignment

FIFA President has made no secret his efforts to be closely connected with the US leader prior to the 2026 event, planned to be organized in multiple US locations across the US along with several in the northern neighbor and three in the southern neighbor. The FIFA president has been present at multiple presidential functions, arranged for Trump hand over the Club World Cup trophy after that tournament’s final, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to join Trump on a journey to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Despite this, Trump from threatening the cancellation of soccer games from additional American venues. Recently, the Washington city and San Francisco came under similar criticism, with Trump claiming both urban centers were “led by radical left lunatics who lack understanding what they are doing,” while criticizing the safety level of both cities and claiming that games could be relocated.

Organizational Statement

FIFA vice-president Montagliani dismissed Trump’s assertions when he reacted afterward at a gathering in England.

“It’s the organization's event, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions,” Montagliani said. “Politely to current world leaders, the sport is transcends political figures and soccer will survive their tenure and their leadership. That’s the strength of our game, that it is bigger than a single person and beyond a nation.”

Olympics Threat

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

“If I thought Los Angeles was not sufficiently organized, I will relocate it to an alternate venue as needed,” he remarked. “Regarding that event I may have to get a different kind of permission, but we would take that action.”

Any approval Trump refers to would must come via the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their leader, the newly elected president, was selected to her post in spring and has not yet hold a public appearance with him, though she said that she hopes for a discussion with him at eventually.

Further Comments

Trump also questioned the state's leader Newsom’s management of this year’s LA wildfires, saying that a comparable scenario could result in the relocation of the Olympics.

“In case he is uncooperative, we will have to be very tough,” he commented.

His statement was just as unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

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