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Ex-president Trump has yet again stated he would urge FIFA to remove 2026 World Cup games from a venue based on the local politics, with Boston emerging as the latest targeted location to encounter such statements from the US president. Furthermore, Trump remarked he would contemplate parallel steps against Southern California for the upcoming Olympic Games due to possible safety issues.

Jurisdictional Limits and Informal Leverage

Although Trump does not have formal power to directly relocate either event, he can exert influence the organizing committees managing each competition to change venues.

Background of Comments

His statements were made during a news conference with Argentina's leader Milei, who was visiting the White House following the disclosure of a multibillion-dollar financial assistance for the Latin American nation. Near the end of the event, a reporter questioned Trump about a recent “street takeover” in Boston where police officers were targeted and a police vehicle was set on fire. The reporter also wondered if these incidents could result in the revocation of tournament responsibilities for the 48-team World Cup.

“I would take them away,” the former president said about the FIFA World Cup matches, planned to be staged at the Massachusetts arena. “She is poor … she’s far-left, and they’re dominating sections of downtown. That is a significant statement, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Ideological Perceptions

Unauthorized gatherings, a digitally organized occurrence where participants congregate on urban roads after dark to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have become a frequent nuisance in metropolitan centers since the Covid-19 pandemic shutdowns. Current such gatherings have become aggressive in Massachusetts, including downtown. Yet, these events are generally not seen as tied to any distinct political ideology.

“When someone is doing a bad job, and I feel exist unsafe conditions, I'd call Gianni [Infantino], who is excellent, and tell him we should relocate it to another location,” Trump commented during the event. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy to do it, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he’d do it.”

Organizational Alignment

The organization's head has been open his strategies to be visibly associated with the US leader before the 2026 event, planned to be staged in 11 cities across the America along with a couple in the northern neighbor and three in Mexico. The FIFA president has been present at several White House gatherings, facilitated Trump hand over the Club World Cup award after the championship match, and has even postponed his the group's assembly to accompany Trump on a visit to the Gulf states this year.

Previous Threats

This has not stopped, Trump from suggesting the cancellation of soccer games from additional American venues. On September 25, the Washington city and San Francisco came under similar statements, with Trump stating both urban centers were “led by ideological activists who lack understanding what they're managing,” while questioning the safety level of both areas and implying that events could be shifted.

FIFA Response

The organization's deputy Montagliani dismissed Trump’s assertions when he reacted days later at a conference in London.

“It’s the organization's event, under our authority, the organization determines such choices,” Montagliani stated. “Politely to sitting presidents, soccer is more important than them and the game will survive their administration and their policies. That is the strength of this sport, that it is bigger than one leader and beyond individual states.”

2028 Comments

During the event, Trump’s response to a inquiry about the Massachusetts city extended to a similar threat regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“When I thought LA was not prepared properly, I will move it to a different city as needed,” he said. “Regarding that event I’d probably have to secure a different kind of approval, but we'd do that.”

Official consent Trump alluded to would must come via the Olympic governing body. Their president, she, was selected to her position in this year and has yet to hold a public appearance with him, but she said that she hopes for a sit-down with him at some point.

Additional Criticism

The former president also questioned Gavin Newsom’s management of recent California fires, remarking that a comparable scenario could result in the removal of the Games.

“If Newsom refuses to cooperate, we are going to have to be firm,” Trump commented.

The warning was similarly clear for Boston.

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