🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump has repeatedly stated he would pressure FIFA to relocate upcoming World Cup games from a designated city based on that city's politics, with the Boston region becoming the most recent such city to encounter such statements from the US president. Additionally, Trump suggested he would evaluate comparable measures against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to perceived public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Possible Pressure

Even though Trump holds no direct legal authority to directly relocate either tournament, he is able to apply pressure the organizing committees managing each tournament to move venues.

Context of Remarks

His statements were made during a press event with Argentinian president Milei, who was present in the executive mansion following the revelation of a massive rescue package for the Latin American economy. At the conclusion of the meeting, a reporter inquired Trump about a current public disturbance in the city where authorities were attacked and a patrol car was set on fire. The reporter also questioned if the situation could lead to the loss of tournament responsibilities for the larger World Cup.

“We could take them away,” Trump remarked concerning the FIFA World Cup matches, planned to be staged at the Foxborough venue. “She is poor … she’s radical left, and they’re occupying areas of the city. That’s a major assertion, isn't it?”

Street Takeovers and Public Safety Concerns

Unauthorized gatherings, a digitally organized phenomenon where groups of people gather on city streets late at night to perform stunts, have been a frequent problem in American cities since the Covid-19 pandemic closures. Current incidents have turned violent in Massachusetts, including Boston. Nevertheless, these events are generally not considered linked to any distinct ideological group.

“In cases where a mayor is failing, and I feel there’s dangerous circumstances, I'd call the FIFA head, who is excellent, and tell him it should be shifted to an alternate venue,” he said publicly. “And he would do that. He may not enjoy to do it, but he would comply. Very easily, he would.”

Organizational Alignment

FIFA President has publicly acknowledged his strategies to be visibly associated with Trump ahead of next year’s tournament, scheduled to be organized in 11 cities across the America along with several in the northern neighbor and multiple in Mexico. The FIFA president has been present at several presidential gatherings, had Trump deliver the club tournament cup after that tournament’s final, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to accompany Trump on a visit to the Middle East previously.

Previous Threats

Nevertheless, Trump from suggesting the relocation of FIFA World Cup events from other US host cities. Recently, Seattle and San Francisco faced comparable comments, with Trump claiming both urban centers were “led by far-left extremists who lack understanding what they are doing,” while questioning the security conditions of both areas and implying that events could be relocated.

FIFA Response

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

“It is FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, the organization determines those decisions,” Montagliani stated. “Respectfully to national heads, soccer is bigger than any individual and the game will endure their administration and their policies. That’s the essence of our game, that it is bigger than a single person and bigger than a nation.”

2028 Comments

During the event, Trump’s response to a query about Boston extended to a similar threat regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“When I thought the city was not prepared properly, I'd shift it to another location as needed,” he remarked. “Regarding that event I might have to secure a alternative permission, but we would do that.”

The permission Trump refers to would must come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their head, the newly elected president, was elected to her position in this year and has not yet hold a public appearance with him, but she said that she hopes for a discussion with Trump at a future time.

Other Remarks

He also condemned the state's leader Newsom’s handling of the blazes, stating that a comparable scenario could result in the cancellation of the event.

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

His message was just as direct for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston should clean up their act,” Trump stated. “That’s all my message.”