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Donald Trump has yet again stated he would urge FIFA to remove 2026 World Cup games from a host city based on municipal politics, with the Boston region now being the third such city to encounter such threats from the White House. Additionally, Trump suggested he would contemplate comparable measures against LA for the upcoming Olympic Games due to possible public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Informal Leverage

Even though Trump does not have direct legal authority to personally cancel either event, he is able to apply pressure the organizing committees in charge of each competition to shift venues.

Background of Comments

The statements were made during a press event with Argentinian president Milei, who was visiting the executive mansion following the announcement of a $20 billion bailout for the Argentine nation. Near the end of the gathering, a media member questioned Trump about a recent unauthorized gathering in the city where authorities were assaulted and a police vehicle was burned. The correspondent also wondered if the situation could result in the revocation of organizing rights for the 48-team World Cup.

“It's possible to take them away,” the former president stated concerning the World Cup matches, set to be hosted at the Foxborough venue. “Their mayor is not good … she is extremist, and they are dominating areas of Boston. That is a significant statement, don't you think?”

Street Takeovers and Ideological Perceptions

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven phenomenon where large crowds assemble on public avenues after dark to perform stunts, have emerged as a repeated issue in metropolitan centers since the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Recent similar events have escalated into violence in the region, specifically in the city. Nevertheless, these occurrences are usually not seen as tied to any particular partisan agenda.

“In cases where a city is doing a bad job, and I believe there’s unsafe conditions, I'd call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and say let’s move it to a different city,” Trump said on Tuesday. “He will do that. He wouldn’t love the action, but he would comply. Without hesitation, he’d do it.”

Political Connections

FIFA President has made no secret his attempts to be visibly associated with Trump before next year’s tournament, set to be hosted in numerous American venues across the US along with a couple in Canada and three in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has been present at several Oval Office functions, arranged for Trump deliver the FIFA club cup after the concluding game, and has even rescheduled his the group's assembly to accompany Trump on a trip to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

This has not stopped, Trump from threatening the cancellation of soccer events from other US host cities. On September 25, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis came under similar comments, with Trump claiming both locations were “governed by far-left extremists who don’t know what they’re doing,” while questioning the safety level of both cities and claiming that games could be relocated.

Organizational Statement

Victor Montagliani rejected Trump’s statements when he reacted subsequently at a gathering in the UK capital.

“This is the organization's event, under our authority, the organization determines such choices,” the vice-president declared. “With all due respect to national heads, soccer is transcends any individual and soccer will outlast their tenure and their leadership. That is the strength of this sport, that it is bigger than any individual and beyond individual states.”

2028 Comments

Similarly, Trump’s answer to a inquiry about the Massachusetts city veered into a similar threat regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“If I believed Los Angeles was not going to be prepared properly, I will move it to a different city as needed,” he remarked. “Regarding that event I may have to secure a different kind of approval, but we will take that action.”

Any approval Trump refers to would must come via the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their leader, the newly elected president, was selected to her role in March and has not yet hold a public appearance with Trump, although she indicated that she would like a sit-down with Trump at eventually.

Further Comments

Trump also criticized California governor Newsom’s handling of recent California fires, remarking that a comparable scenario could result in the relocation of the Olympics.

“When Newsom is uncooperative, we’re gonna have to be strict,” Trump commented.

The warning was just as direct for the Massachusetts city.

“The city must improve their situation,” he said. “That is I can say.”