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Ex-president Trump has repeatedly announced he would pressure FIFA to relocate upcoming World Cup games from a host city based on municipal politics, with the Boston region now being the most recent targeted location to face such threats from the American leader. Additionally, Trump remarked he would consider comparable measures against Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics due to potential safety issues.

Legal Authority and Potential Influence

Although Trump lacks official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either event, he can lobby the organizing committees overseeing each tournament to move venues.

Setting for Statements

These remarks were made during a media briefing with Argentina's leader Milei, who was present in the executive mansion following the disclosure of a multibillion-dollar rescue package for the South American country. Toward the close of the meeting, a reporter inquired Trump about a current public disturbance in Boston where law enforcement were assaulted and a police vehicle was ignited. The correspondent also asked if the situation could lead to the loss of tournament responsibilities for the 48-team World Cup.

“We could take them away,” he said concerning the FIFA World Cup games, set to be staged at Gillette Stadium. “She is not good … she’s radical left, and they are dominating areas of Boston. That is a pretty big statement, right?”

Urban Disturbances and Public Safety Concerns

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven trend where participants gather on public avenues during nighttime to engage in dangerous driving, have been a repeated problem in US urban areas since the coronavirus shutdowns. Current incidents have become aggressive in the region, including Boston. Yet, these events are usually not considered tied to any particular ideological group.

“When a mayor is doing a bad job, and I feel there’s unsafe conditions, I'd call the FIFA head, who is excellent, and suggest it should be shifted to another location,” Trump stated publicly. “And he would do that. He may not enjoy to do it, but he’d do it. Without hesitation, he’d do it.”

FIFA Relationship

The organization's head has made no secret his attempts to be publicly aligned with the former president prior to the 2026 event, set to be hosted in multiple US locations across the United States along with two in Canada and multiple in Mexico. The organization's leader has appeared at various Oval Office gatherings, facilitated Trump hand over the Club World Cup trophy after the concluding game, and has even postponed his the group's assembly to join Trump on a trip to the Arab region previously.

Previous Threats

This has not stopped, Trump from warning about the removal of soccer games from different locations. On September 25, the Washington city and San Francisco faced similar statements, with Trump asserting both locations were “governed by far-left extremists who lack understanding what they are doing,” while criticizing the safety level of both cities and suggesting that matches could be relocated.

FIFA Response

The organization's deputy Montagliani dismissed Trump’s claims when he reacted afterward at a conference in London.

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, our responsibility, the organization determines these matters,” Montagliani stated. “Politely to national heads, football is more important than political figures and football will survive their regime and their government. That is the essence of this sport, that it is bigger than one leader and bigger than any country.”

2028 Comments

On Tuesday, Trump’s response to a query about the Massachusetts city included a comparable warning regarding the LA Olympic event.

“When I perceived Los Angeles was not going to be adequately ready, I will shift it to a different city as needed,” he remarked. “For the Olympics I’d probably have to get a alternative approval, but we'd proceed.”

Any approval Trump refers to would must come through the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The leader, the newly elected president, was chosen to her position in this year and has not yet meet publicly with him, although she indicated that she hopes for a sit-down with him at eventually.

Further Comments

The former president also questioned the state's leader Newsom’s management of the LA wildfires, remarking that a comparable scenario could cause the cancellation of the Games.

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

The warning was just as unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“The city must improve their situation,” Trump stated. “It's I will say.”