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Ex-president Trump has once again announced he would influence FIFA to relocate 2026 World Cup matches from a host city based on that city's politics, with the Boston region now being the latest targeted location to receive such warnings from the White House. Moreover, Trump suggested he would consider parallel steps against Southern California for the upcoming Olympic Games due to perceived public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Informal Leverage

Although Trump does not have formal power to unilaterally remove either event, he is able to apply pressure the international organizations managing each competition to move host cities.

Context of Remarks

His comments were made during a press event with Javier Milei, who was visiting the executive mansion following the announcement of a $20 billion financial assistance for the South American economy. At the conclusion of the meeting, a reporter inquired Trump about a latest public disturbance in Boston where police officers were assaulted and a cruiser was set on fire. The journalist also asked if the situation could cause the loss of hosting duties for the expanded World Cup.

“It's possible to take them away,” he said about the soccer fixtures, scheduled to be staged at the Foxborough venue. “Their mayor is not good … she is radical left, and activists are occupying sections of the city. That is a pretty big claim, isn't it?”

Public Gatherings and Political Context

Street takeovers, a social media-driven phenomenon where participants assemble on urban roads after dark to perform stunts, have become a frequent nuisance in US urban areas since the coronavirus shutdowns. Latest such gatherings have turned violent in the region, including the city. However, these events are usually not considered linked to any specific ideological group.

“When someone is failing, and I feel exist unsafe conditions, I will call the FIFA head, who is outstanding, and say it should be shifted to a different city,” Trump said during the event. “He'd do that. He wouldn’t love doing it, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he would.”

FIFA Relationship

The organization's head has made no secret his efforts to be visibly associated with the former president before the 2026 event, planned to be staged in 11 cities across the US along with a couple in the northern neighbor and multiple in Mexico. The FIFA president has been present at various White House events, arranged for Trump hand over the Club World Cup trophy after the concluding game, and has even rescheduled his the group's assembly to join Trump on a journey to the Gulf states previously.

Earlier Warnings

This has not stopped, Trump from suggesting the removal of soccer games from different locations. Recently, Seattle and San Francisco were comparable criticism, with Trump stating both locations were “run by radical left lunatics who lack understanding what they are doing,” while challenging the public safety of both locales and claiming that matches could be shifted.

Official Rebuttal

The organization's deputy Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he commented afterward at a conference in the UK capital.

“This is our competition, under our authority, FIFA makes those decisions,” Montagliani stated. “Politely to current world leaders, football is bigger than any individual and soccer will outlast their regime and their government. That’s the strength of this sport, that it is more significant than a single person and bigger than any country.”

2028 Comments

During the event, Trump’s answer to a question about the Massachusetts city veered into a comparable warning regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“When I thought Los Angeles was not adequately ready, I would move it to a different city if necessary,” he said. “Regarding that event I may have to secure a alternative consent, but we will proceed.”

Any approval Trump mentioned would need to come through the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The head, Kirsty Coventry, was elected to her role in spring and has yet to appear together with the former president, but she indicated that she desires a meeting with him at some point.

Additional Criticism

The former president also criticized California governor Newsom’s management of this year’s California fires, remarking that a similar situation could result in the relocation of the Games.

“In case Newsom is uncooperative, we are going to have to be very tough,” the former president said.

His statement was similarly direct for Boston.

“They should improve their situation,” he remarked. “It's I can say.”