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Donald Trump has repeatedly announced he would influence FIFA to pull 2026 World Cup events from a designated city based on that city's governance, with the Boston region now being the latest urban area to encounter such threats from the White House. Moreover, Trump remarked he would evaluate similar action against Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics due to perceived safety issues.

Official Power and Possible Pressure

Even though Trump does not have direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either competition, he can apply pressure the organizing committees overseeing each tournament to shift venues.

Background of Comments

The remarks were made during a press event with Argentinian president Milei, who was visiting the presidential residence following the announcement of a multibillion-dollar bailout for the South American economy. Near the conclusion of the meeting, a journalist inquired Trump about a current public disturbance in downtown Boston where police officers were assaulted and a patrol car was burned. The reporter also asked if such events could cause the loss of tournament responsibilities for the 48-team soccer tournament.

“I would take them away,” Trump remarked regarding the World Cup games, planned to be hosted at the Foxborough venue. “Their mayor is ineffective … she’s extremist, and activists are occupying parts of downtown. That’s a major claim, right?”

Street Takeovers and Ideological Perceptions

Street takeovers, a online-fueled occurrence where participants assemble on public avenues after dark to perform stunts, have emerged as a repeated issue in metropolitan centers since the Covid-19 pandemic closures. Recent incidents have escalated into violence in Massachusetts, specifically in Boston. Yet, these gatherings are typically not seen as linked to any specific political ideology.

“If a mayor is doing a bad job, and I feel there’s security risks, I will call the organization's president, who is excellent, and tell him we should relocate it to a different city,” Trump said on Tuesday. “He'd do that. He might not prefer the action, but he would comply. Very easily, he'd comply.”

Political Connections

FIFA President has publicly acknowledged his efforts to be closely connected with the former president prior to the 2026 event, planned to be staged in 11 cities across the US along with several in the northern neighbor and three in the southern neighbor. The FIFA president has appeared at multiple Oval Office events, arranged for Trump hand over the FIFA club trophy after the concluding game, and has even rescheduled his the group's assembly to accompany Trump on a trip to the Gulf states this year.

Past Statements

Despite this, Trump from threatening the relocation of FIFA World Cup matches from other US host cities. Recently, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis faced comparable criticism, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “governed by radical left lunatics who lack understanding what they're managing,” while challenging the safety level of both areas and suggesting that games could be shifted.

FIFA Response

The organization's deputy Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s statements when he reacted days later at a event in London.

“It is our competition, our responsibility, we decide those decisions,” he declared. “With all due respect to sitting presidents, soccer is bigger than them and the game will endure their administration and their government. That is the essence of football, that it is transcends one leader and more important than a nation.”

Olympics Threat

Similarly, Trump’s answer to a inquiry about the Massachusetts city extended to a comparable warning regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“In case I thought Los Angeles was failing to be prepared properly, I would move it to a different city if I had to,” Trump stated. “For the Olympics I might have to secure a different kind of consent, but we would proceed.”

Official consent Trump mentioned would have to come via the Olympic governing body. The leader, she, was selected to her post in spring and has yet to appear together with Trump, although she indicated that she desires a meeting with the US figure at a future time.

Additional Criticism

The former president also questioned California governor Newsom’s response of the blazes, remarking that a parallel incident could result in the removal of the Olympics.

“When he doesn’t play ball, we are going to have to be strict,” he stated.

His statement was similarly unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“The city must clean up their act,” Trump stated. “That is I can say.”