Trump Warns of Pulling of FIFA World Cup Fixtures from the Boston area, Olympic Games from LA

Donald Trump has repeatedly announced he would urge FIFA to remove global soccer tournament games from a venue based on that city's governance, with the Boston region now being the latest such city to receive such statements from the White House. Furthermore, Trump suggested he would contemplate similar action against LA for the upcoming Olympic Games due to potential public safety risks.

Jurisdictional Limits and Possible Pressure

Even though Trump holds no direct legal authority to directly relocate either tournament, he may lobby the respective governing bodies in charge of each tournament to change locations.

Background of Comments

The remarks were made during a press event with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the White House following the announcement of a multibillion-dollar financial assistance for the Latin American economy. At the conclusion of the meeting, a journalist asked Trump about a current “street takeover” in downtown Boston where authorities were targeted and a police vehicle was set on fire. The journalist also asked if the situation could lead to the revocation of hosting duties for the expanded World Cup.

“We could take them away,” the former president stated concerning the World Cup matches, scheduled to be hosted at the Foxborough venue. “Their mayor is not good … she’s extremist, and they are occupying areas of downtown. It's a major claim, don't you think?”

Urban Disturbances and Political Context

Street takeovers, a social media-driven trend where groups of people gather on city streets late at night to engage in dangerous driving, have become a repeated problem in metropolitan centers since the coronavirus shutdowns. Current such gatherings have become aggressive in the state, including the city. However, these occurrences are generally not seen as tied to any particular political ideology.

“If someone is doing a bad job, and I perceive exist security risks, I would call the FIFA head, who is outstanding, and tell him it should be shifted to an alternate venue,” Trump said on Tuesday. “He will do that. He may not enjoy to do it, but he’d do it. Very easily, he'd comply.”

FIFA Relationship

The organization's head has publicly acknowledged his strategies to be closely connected with the US leader prior to the upcoming World Cup, set to be organized in 11 cities across the US along with a couple in Canada and multiple in Mexico. The FIFA president has participated at multiple Oval Office events, facilitated Trump present the FIFA club cup after the concluding game, and has even postponed his FIFA's internal meeting to accompany Trump on a trip to the Middle East previously.

Previous Threats

Nevertheless, Trump from suggesting the relocation of soccer games from different locations. Recently, Seattle and San Francisco came under similar criticism, with Trump claiming both cities were “governed by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they are doing,” while challenging the security conditions of both locales and claiming that matches could be shifted.

Organizational Statement

The organization's deputy Montagliani dismissed Trump’s statements when he commented days later at a gathering in London.

“It is the organization's event, our responsibility, FIFA makes these matters,” Montagliani declared. “With all due respect to national heads, the sport is more important than political figures and football will outlast their administration and their policies. It's the essence of our game, that it is more significant than a single person and beyond a nation.”

Olympics Threat

On Tuesday, Trump’s response to a question about Boston included a comparable warning regarding the LA Olympic event.

“In case I thought LA was not prepared properly, I will move it to a different city as needed,” he said. “On that one I might have to get a different kind of permission, but we'd proceed.”

Official consent Trump refers to would need to come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The head, she, was selected to her post in this year and has yet to hold a public appearance with the former president, though she stated that she hopes for a discussion with him at some point.

Further Comments

He also criticized Gavin Newsom’s response of this year’s California fires, saying that a comparable scenario could lead to the relocation of the Olympics.

“When the governor refuses to cooperate, we will have to be firm,” Trump commented.

The warning was equally clear for the Massachusetts city.

“The city better address these issues,” he remarked. “It's I will say.”