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Ex-president Trump has yet again announced he would pressure FIFA to relocate upcoming World Cup events from a host city based on municipal governance, with Boston emerging as the latest urban area to face such threats from the American leader. Furthermore, Trump suggested he would consider comparable measures against LA for the 2028 Summer Games due to perceived public safety risks.

Official Power and Potential Influence

While Trump lacks formal power to personally cancel either tournament, he may exert influence the international organizations in charge of each event to change venues.

Setting for Statements

His statements were made during a media briefing with Argentinian president Milei, who was visiting the White House following the disclosure of a $20 billion rescue package for the Argentine nation. At the close of the meeting, a journalist asked Trump about a latest “street takeover” in Boston where police officers were assaulted and a cruiser was burned. The reporter also wondered if such events could lead to the revocation of tournament responsibilities for the larger World Cup.

“I would take them away,” Trump stated about the World Cup matches, set to be held at Gillette Stadium. “The city's leader is not good … she’s radical left, and they’re dominating parts of downtown. That is a major assertion, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Ideological Perceptions

Street takeovers, a digitally organized phenomenon where groups of people congregate on city streets late at night to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have become a frequent nuisance in American cities since the coronavirus closures. Recent similar events have escalated into violence in the state, including downtown. Yet, these events are typically not seen as associated with any distinct political ideology.

“When someone is doing a bad job, and I feel there are dangerous circumstances, I'd call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and say let’s move it to an alternate venue,” Trump stated on Tuesday. “And he would do that. He may not enjoy doing it, but he’d do it. Without hesitation, he'd comply.”

FIFA Relationship

The organization's head has made no secret his efforts to be visibly associated with Trump before the 2026 event, set to be staged in multiple US locations across the America along with several in the northern neighbor and a few in the southern neighbor. The head has been present at several Oval Office functions, had Trump deliver the FIFA club cup after the championship match, and has even postponed his own organization’s congress to accompany Trump on a trip to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

This has not stopped, Trump from suggesting the removal of World Cup matches from other US host cities. On September 25, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis faced comparable criticism, with Trump claiming both urban centers were “governed by radical left lunatics who don’t know what they are doing,” while challenging the security conditions of both locales and suggesting that games could be removed.

FIFA Response

Victor Montagliani rejected Trump’s claims when he reacted days later at a conference in London.

“This is FIFA’s tournament, our responsibility, we decide such choices,” Montagliani stated. “With all due respect to current world leaders, the sport is bigger than political figures and soccer will endure their regime and their policies. That is the strength of our game, that it is bigger than any individual and more important than individual states.”

Olympics Threat

On Tuesday, Trump’s reply to a query about Boston extended to a similar threat regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“When I perceived Los Angeles was failing to be prepared properly, I will shift it to an alternate venue if I had to,” Trump stated. “Regarding that event I might have to get a different kind of consent, but we will take that action.”

Official consent Trump mentioned would must come via the Olympic governing body. The president, Kirsty Coventry, was chosen to her position in March and has not yet appear together with him, though she stated that she desires a discussion with Trump at a future time.

Further Comments

He also criticized the state's leader Newsom’s management of the California fires, stating that a similar situation could lead to the cancellation of the event.

“When Newsom doesn’t play ball, we’re gonna have to be firm,” Trump stated.

His message was equally direct for Boston.

“They must improve their situation,” he remarked. “That is I will say.”