🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump has once again declared he would pressure FIFA to relocate upcoming World Cup games from a host city based on municipal politics, with the Boston region now being the most recent such city to encounter such threats from the White House. Additionally, Trump remarked he would contemplate similar action against Los Angeles for the upcoming Olympic Games due to potential safety issues.

Official Power and Possible Pressure

Although Trump does not have formal power to directly relocate either competition, he can lobby the respective governing bodies managing each tournament to move locations.

Context of Remarks

The comments were made during a media briefing with Javier Milei, who was at the presidential residence following the disclosure of a $20 billion rescue package for the South American nation. Toward the end of the event, a media member questioned Trump about a current “street takeover” in the city where police officers were assaulted and a patrol car was set on fire. The journalist also wondered if the situation could lead to the removal of hosting duties for the larger football competition.

“It's possible to take them away,” the former president remarked regarding the FIFA World Cup games, scheduled to be held at Gillette Stadium. “She is not good … she is radical left, and they are occupying sections of Boston. That’s a major statement, isn't it?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven occurrence where large crowds congregate on city streets during nighttime to engage in dangerous driving, have been a ongoing problem in metropolitan centers since the Covid-19 pandemic shutdowns. Recent such gatherings have escalated into violence in the region, specifically in the city. However, these gatherings are typically not regarded as linked to any specific partisan agenda.

“If a city is performing poorly, and I believe exist security risks, I will call the FIFA head, who is phenomenal, and say let’s move it to another location,” he stated during the event. “He'd do that. He might not prefer to do it, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he'd comply.”

FIFA Relationship

The organization's head has made no secret his efforts to be closely connected with the former president ahead of the upcoming World Cup, set to be organized in 11 cities across the America along with two in the northern neighbor and three in Mexico. The FIFA president has participated at various White House functions, had Trump deliver the FIFA club trophy after the concluding game, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to join Trump on a visit to the Arab region previously.

Previous Threats

This has not stopped, Trump from threatening the cancellation of FIFA World Cup events from additional American venues. In late September, Seattle and San Francisco faced similar statements, with Trump claiming both cities were “governed by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they're managing,” while challenging the public safety of both cities and claiming that games could be removed.

FIFA Response

Victor Montagliani rejected Trump’s claims when he reacted days later at a gathering in England.

“It is the organization's event, FIFA’s jurisdiction, we decide these matters,” the vice-president stated. “Respectfully to national heads, the sport is transcends them and football will outlast their administration and their government. That’s the strength of football, that it is bigger than one leader and beyond a nation.”

LA Games Warning

Similarly, Trump’s answer to a question about Boston veered into a comparable warning regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“If I thought the city was failing to be adequately ready, I would shift it to a different city if I had to,” Trump stated. “For the Olympics I might have to obtain a different kind of approval, but we'd do that.”

Any approval Trump mentioned would have to come from the Olympic governing body. Their leader, the newly elected president, was elected to her post in spring and has so far not appear together with him, but she said that she would like a discussion with Trump at eventually.

Further Comments

The former president also criticized the state's leader Newsom’s handling of the California fires, stating that a similar situation could result in the relocation of the Games.

“In case Newsom is uncooperative, we are going to have to be very tough,” the former president commented.

His message was similarly clear for the Massachusetts city.

“They should address these issues,” he remarked. “It's my message.”