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Donald Trump has repeatedly stated he would influence FIFA to pull upcoming World Cup matches from a host city based on the local political climate, with the Boston region becoming the third urban area to face such threats from the American leader. Additionally, Trump suggested he would evaluate similar action against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to possible safety issues.

Official Power and Possible Pressure

While Trump lacks formal power to personally cancel either tournament, he is able to exert influence the respective governing bodies in charge of each tournament to change host cities.

Background of Comments

His remarks were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was at the executive mansion following the revelation of a $20 billion rescue package for the Latin American country. Near the conclusion of the event, a reporter asked Trump about a current public disturbance in Boston where police officers were targeted and a cruiser was ignited. The journalist also questioned if such events could lead to the removal of tournament responsibilities for the larger football competition.

“I would take them away,” he stated about the FIFA World Cup fixtures, set to be staged at the Foxborough venue. “She is ineffective … she’s extremist, and they are occupying sections of downtown. That is a pretty big assertion, right?”

Urban Disturbances and Political Context

Street takeovers, a online-fueled occurrence where large crowds assemble on urban roads during nighttime to perform stunts, have become a ongoing nuisance in US urban areas since the lockdown restrictions. Recent similar events have escalated into violence in Massachusetts, notably in the city. However, these occurrences are typically not seen as tied to any particular political ideology.

“In cases where a city is doing a bad job, and I perceive there’s unsafe conditions, I would call the organization's president, who is phenomenal, and tell him let’s move it to a different city,” he said publicly. “He will do that. He might not prefer the action, but he'd agree. Very easily, he'd comply.”

Organizational Alignment

Gianni Infantino has made no secret his strategies to be publicly aligned with Trump ahead of the 2026 event, planned to be staged in numerous American venues across the United States along with two in the northern neighbor and multiple in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has participated at several Oval Office gatherings, had Trump hand over the club tournament award after the concluding game, and has even postponed his FIFA's internal meeting to join Trump on a visit to the Middle East this year.

Past Statements

Nevertheless, Trump from warning about the removal of soccer events from additional American venues. In late September, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis came under similar comments, with Trump asserting both cities were “led by ideological activists who lack understanding what they’re doing,” while challenging the safety level of both areas and suggesting that events could be shifted.

FIFA Response

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

“It is FIFA’s tournament, our responsibility, the organization determines these matters,” Montagliani declared. “Respectfully to sitting presidents, football is more important than them and the game will outlast their tenure and their government. That is the strength of this sport, that it is transcends one leader and more important than any country.”

LA Games Warning

Similarly, Trump’s response to a question about the Massachusetts city extended to a parallel statement regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“When I thought LA was not going to be adequately ready, I would relocate it to another location as needed,” he remarked. “For the Olympics I might have to obtain a varying permission, but we will take that action.”

The permission Trump refers to would must come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The leader, Kirsty Coventry, was chosen to her role in March and has so far not meet publicly with Trump, although she said that she hopes for a sit-down with him at eventually.

Further Comments

The former president also questioned the state's leader Newsom’s response of the LA wildfires, remarking that a comparable scenario could result in the relocation of the Games.

“When the governor doesn’t play ball, we’re gonna have to be firm,” the former president stated.

His message was just as direct for Boston.

“They must clean up their act,” he said. “That’s all I will say.”