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Former President Trump has repeatedly stated he would influence FIFA to pull 2026 World Cup events from a designated city based on municipal politics, with Boston now being the latest such city to face such statements from the American leader. Moreover, Trump remarked he would consider similar action against LA for the 2028 Olympics due to possible public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Potential Influence

Even though Trump lacks formal power to unilaterally remove either competition, he can lobby the international organizations in charge of each competition to shift host cities.

Setting for Statements

His statements were made during a press event with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the White House following the announcement of a multibillion-dollar financial assistance for the Latin American economy. Near the conclusion of the event, a media member inquired Trump about a current unauthorized gathering in downtown Boston where police officers were targeted and a cruiser was ignited. The reporter also questioned if these incidents could lead to the revocation of hosting duties for the larger football competition.

“It's possible to take them away,” the former president stated about the soccer games, scheduled to be held at Gillette Stadium. “She is not good … she’s radical left, and they’re occupying areas of downtown. That’s a major assertion, right?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Public disruptions, a digitally organized occurrence where large crowds assemble on urban roads during nighttime to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have emerged as a repeated issue in American cities since the Covid-19 pandemic shutdowns. Recent similar events have turned violent in Massachusetts, including Boston. Nevertheless, these events are generally not considered tied to any particular ideological group.

“When someone is doing a bad job, and I feel there are dangerous circumstances, I will call the organization's president, who is phenomenal, and suggest it should be shifted to an alternate venue,” Trump commented publicly. “He will do that. He might not prefer the action, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he’d do it.”

FIFA Relationship

Gianni Infantino has been open his strategies to be visibly associated with the US leader prior to the 2026 event, set to be hosted in numerous American venues across the United States along with several in Canada and a few in Mexico. The head has appeared at multiple White House events, facilitated Trump present the Club World Cup award after the championship match, and has even rescheduled his FIFA's internal meeting to accompany Trump on a journey to the Middle East previously.

Past Statements

This has not stopped, Trump from warning about the relocation of soccer games from different locations. In late September, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis were comparable statements, with Trump asserting both cities were “governed by ideological activists who are clueless what they’re doing,” while questioning the safety level of both areas and claiming that games could be removed.

Organizational Statement

FIFA vice-president Montagliani dismissed Trump’s statements when he responded subsequently at a gathering in the UK capital.

“This is FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, the organization determines these matters,” the vice-president stated. “With all due respect to sitting presidents, soccer is bigger than political figures and soccer will survive their regime and their government. That is the essence of our game, that it is transcends a single person and more important than a nation.”

Olympics Threat

Similarly, Trump’s reply to a inquiry about Boston veered into a comparable warning regarding the LA Olympic event.

“In case I believed Los Angeles was failing to be sufficiently organized, I'd relocate it to an alternate venue if necessary,” he said. “Regarding that event I may have to secure a different kind of approval, but we would proceed.”

Any approval Trump refers to would have to come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The head, Kirsty Coventry, was elected to her role in this year and has not yet meet publicly with Trump, but she stated that she hopes for a discussion with Trump at a future time.

Additional Criticism

The former president also criticized California governor Newsom’s response of this year’s California fires, remarking that a comparable scenario could lead to the removal of the Olympics.

“If Newsom doesn’t play ball, we’re gonna have to be very tough,” Trump said.

His message was equally unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“They better clean up their act,” he said. “It's I can say.”