President Donald Trump has threatened to disqualify Boston from hosting the 2026 North American World Cup. He stated that he would exert pressure on Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) by citing Boston’s left-leaning political climate and concerns over public safety. Trump also mentioned that he might take similar actions regarding the 2028 Los Angeles (LA) Olympics.
The Guardian reports that Trump made these comments during a joint press conference at the White House on Tuesday alongside Argentine President Javier Milei. He referred to recent street takeover protests in Boston, claiming that the mayor is a radical leftist, and parts of the city are being occupied. However, The Guardian noted that such gatherings are not typically linked to any specific political ideology.
Since the COVID-19 lockdowns, street takeovers organized via social media have become a recurring issue in American cities. These events involve large crowds gathering downtown late at night to perform car stunts. Recently, some of these gatherings have turned violent, with protesters attacking police and setting patrol cars on fire. This escalation led to questions during the press conference about the potential revocation of Boston’s World Cup hosting rights.
Trump declared that it can move the World Cup matches scheduled for Gillette Stadium to another city, adding that he’ll call FIFA President Gianni Infantino and propose relocating them. He emphasized that Infantino is a great guy, and he’ll easily move it if Trump asks.
In September, Trump had already suggested excluding Seattle and San Francisco from hosting World Cup matches, describing them as cities run by radical left lunatics who don’t know what they’re doing. FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani dismissed Trump’s remarks, asserting, FIFA’s tournaments fall under FIFA’s jurisdiction, and the decision-making power lies with FIFA.
The 2026 North American World Cup will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with the host cities already confirmed. Eleven U.S. cities have been selected, and Trump intends to pressure FIFA to change these selections.
While addressing questions about Boston, Trump also commented on the 2028 LA Olympics, stating that if the preparations are inadequate, it could move it to another city. He criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom’s response to the wildfires, warning that similar circumstances could lead to the revocation of Olympic hosting rights.