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Ex-president Trump has yet again announced he would urge FIFA to relocate 2026 World Cup events from a designated city based on municipal political climate, with the Boston region now being the most recent urban area to receive such warnings from the US president. Additionally, Trump indicated he would evaluate similar action against LA for the 2028 Olympics due to potential public safety risks.

Jurisdictional Limits and Informal Leverage

Even though Trump does not have official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either event, he can apply pressure the organizing committees managing each competition to shift venues.

Background of Comments

The comments were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was present in the presidential residence following the disclosure of a multibillion-dollar bailout for the Argentine country. Near the close of the meeting, a journalist inquired Trump about a current public disturbance in downtown Boston where authorities were targeted and a cruiser was burned. The correspondent also questioned if these incidents could cause the loss of organizing rights for the 48-team World Cup.

“We could take them away,” the former president remarked about the FIFA World Cup matches, set to be staged at Gillette Stadium. “She is poor … she is extremist, and they’re occupying parts of downtown. That’s a significant statement, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Political Context

Street takeovers, a social media-driven occurrence where participants assemble on urban roads during nighttime to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have been a repeated issue in metropolitan centers since the lockdown shutdowns. Recent similar events have turned violent in Massachusetts, including Boston. Nevertheless, these events are typically not considered associated with any particular partisan agenda.

“In cases where a mayor is performing poorly, and I perceive there are security risks, I will call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and say let’s move it to a different city,” he commented during the event. “And he would do that. He wouldn’t love to do it, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he would.”

Organizational Alignment

FIFA President has publicly acknowledged his efforts to be closely connected with the former president prior to the upcoming World Cup, planned to be hosted in numerous American venues across the US along with a couple in Canada and multiple in Mexico. The organization's leader has been present at multiple White House gatherings, facilitated Trump deliver the club tournament award after the concluding game, and has even postponed his FIFA's internal meeting to accompany Trump on a journey to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Past Statements

Nevertheless, Trump from suggesting the relocation of soccer games from other US host cities. Recently, Seattle and San Francisco faced parallel comments, with Trump claiming both urban centers were “run by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they are doing,” while criticizing the security conditions of both areas and suggesting that events could be relocated.

Official Rebuttal

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

“It is the organization's event, under our authority, we decide these matters,” the vice-president declared. “With all due respect to sitting presidents, soccer is transcends any individual and football will survive their administration and their government. It's the beauty of this sport, that it is transcends one leader and beyond a nation.”

2028 Comments

During the event, Trump’s reply to a inquiry about Boston extended to a comparable warning regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“When I believed LA was not going to be adequately ready, I would shift it to an alternate venue if necessary,” Trump stated. “On that one I’d probably have to get a alternative approval, but we'd proceed.”

The permission Trump refers to would have to come via the IOC. Their leader, the newly elected president, was elected to her post in spring and has so far not hold a public appearance with him, though she said that she would like a meeting with him at some point.

Other Remarks

Trump also questioned California governor Newsom’s management of this year’s blazes, remarking that a similar situation could lead to the cancellation of the Olympics.

“In case the governor doesn’t play ball, we are going to have to be strict,” Trump said.

His statement was equally clear for the Massachusetts city.

“They better improve their situation,” Trump stated. “That is I will say.”