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Ex-president Trump has once again stated he would pressure FIFA to relocate upcoming World Cup events from a designated city based on that city's governance, with the Boston region emerging as the third urban area to face such warnings from the White House. Additionally, Trump indicated he would consider similar action against Southern California for the 2028 Olympics due to potential safety issues.

Legal Authority and Potential Influence

Even though Trump holds no direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either tournament, he can exert influence the organizing committees overseeing each competition to change venues.

Context of Remarks

The comments were made during a media briefing with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the White House following the revelation of a $20 billion bailout for the Latin American economy. Near the close of the meeting, a reporter inquired Trump about a recent public disturbance in the city where police officers were assaulted and a patrol car was set on fire. The journalist also questioned if such events could lead to the loss of hosting duties for the 48-team soccer tournament.

“We could take them away,” Trump said about the World Cup fixtures, planned to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “The city's leader is ineffective … they're radical left, and they’re taking over sections of Boston. It's a major assertion, isn't it?”

Urban Disturbances and Political Context

Street takeovers, a social media-driven occurrence where large crowds gather on urban roads late at night to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have become a ongoing problem in American cities since the coronavirus restrictions. Latest incidents have become aggressive in the state, including downtown. Nevertheless, these gatherings are usually not considered associated with any particular partisan agenda.

“When someone is doing a bad job, and I believe exist dangerous circumstances, I would call the organization's president, who is outstanding, and say it should be shifted to another location,” Trump commented on Tuesday. “He'd do that. He wouldn’t love the action, but he would comply. Readily, he’d do it.”

Political Connections

The organization's head has made no secret his strategies to be closely connected with the US leader before the 2026 event, planned to be organized in 11 cities across the US along with two in the northern neighbor and three in Mexico. The organization's leader has been present at several White House gatherings, facilitated Trump hand over the FIFA club award after the championship match, and has even postponed his own organization’s congress to travel with Trump on a trip to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

Nevertheless, Trump from warning about the cancellation of FIFA World Cup events from other US host cities. In late September, the Washington city and San Francisco came under comparable comments, with Trump stating both urban centers were “governed by radical left lunatics who lack understanding what they're managing,” while questioning the security conditions of both locales and implying that games could be shifted.

FIFA Response

FIFA vice-president Montagliani rejected Trump’s assertions when he commented days later at a gathering in the UK capital.

“This is our competition, FIFA’s jurisdiction, the organization determines these matters,” Montagliani said. “Respectfully to sitting presidents, football is transcends political figures and soccer will endure their tenure and their leadership. That’s the strength of this sport, that it is transcends a single person and bigger than individual states.”

2028 Comments

During the event, Trump’s response to a question about Boston extended to a comparable warning regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“If I thought Los Angeles was not prepared properly, I'd move it to a different city if I had to,” Trump stated. “Regarding that event I may have to obtain a varying approval, but we would do that.”

Any approval Trump mentioned would need to come through the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their president, Kirsty Coventry, was chosen to her role in this year and has so far not hold a public appearance with the former president, although she said that she desires a meeting with the US figure at some point.

Other Remarks

The former president also criticized California governor Newsom’s response of this year’s California fires, saying that a comparable scenario could result in the cancellation of the event.

“If the governor refuses to cooperate, we are going to have to be very tough,” Trump said.

His message was just as unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston better improve their situation,” Trump stated. “It's my message.”