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Ex-president Trump has yet again stated he would urge FIFA to relocate global soccer tournament events from a venue based on that city's politics, with the Boston region emerging as the latest such city to receive such threats from the American leader. Furthermore, Trump suggested he would contemplate comparable measures against LA for the 2028 Summer Games due to potential safety issues.

Official Power and Possible Pressure

While Trump holds no direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either competition, he can lobby the international organizations in charge of each tournament to change host cities.

Context of Remarks

The remarks were made during a news conference with Javier Milei, who was visiting the presidential residence following the disclosure of a $20 billion rescue package for the Latin American nation. At the conclusion of the event, a journalist inquired Trump about a recent “street takeover” in downtown Boston where authorities were attacked and a cruiser was set on fire. The reporter also questioned if such events could result in the removal of tournament responsibilities for the 48-team soccer tournament.

“It's possible to take them away,” Trump said regarding the World Cup fixtures, set to be hosted at Gillette Stadium. “She is poor … she is radical left, and activists are taking over sections of Boston. That’s a significant claim, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a digitally organized trend where participants gather on urban roads after dark to engage in dangerous driving, have emerged as a frequent issue in US urban areas since the lockdown shutdowns. Latest such gatherings have become aggressive in the state, including downtown. However, these occurrences are usually not regarded as linked to any particular partisan agenda.

“In cases where a mayor is doing a bad job, and I feel exist security risks, I will call the FIFA head, who is outstanding, and tell him let’s move it to a different city,” he stated publicly. “And he would do that. He might not prefer doing it, but he would comply. Readily, he’d do it.”

Organizational Alignment

Gianni Infantino has publicly acknowledged his attempts to be publicly aligned with the former president prior to next year’s tournament, set to be organized in 11 cities across the US along with a couple in Canada and three in the southern neighbor. The head has appeared at various presidential gatherings, had Trump hand over the FIFA club trophy after the concluding game, and has even postponed his own organization’s congress to travel with Trump on a trip to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Nevertheless, Trump from suggesting the cancellation of soccer events from different locations. On September 25, the Washington city and San Francisco faced parallel criticism, with Trump claiming both urban centers were “run by ideological activists who lack understanding what they're managing,” while challenging the security conditions of both cities and claiming that games could be relocated.

Official Rebuttal

Victor Montagliani rejected Trump’s statements when he commented days later at a event in the UK capital.

“It is our competition, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions,” Montagliani stated. “Politely to current world leaders, the sport is transcends them and soccer will survive their tenure and their policies. It's the beauty of our game, that it is more significant than any individual and bigger than any country.”

Olympics Threat

On Tuesday, Trump’s answer to a query about Boston included a parallel statement regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“When I thought Los Angeles was not sufficiently organized, I'd shift it to a different city if I had to,” Trump stated. “On that one I’d probably have to obtain a different kind of approval, but we would proceed.”

Any approval Trump mentioned would must come through the Olympic governing body. The leader, Kirsty Coventry, was selected to her position in March and has not yet meet publicly with Trump, though she stated that she desires a discussion with the US figure at a future time.

Further Comments

Trump also condemned Gavin Newsom’s handling of this year’s California fires, remarking that a similar situation could lead to the removal of the Games.

“In case Newsom doesn’t play ball, we are going to have to be strict,” the former president commented.

The warning was similarly unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“The city better improve their situation,” he remarked. “That’s all my message.”