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Ex-president Trump has repeatedly declared he would urge FIFA to remove upcoming World Cup matches from a host city based on the local political climate, with the Boston region emerging as the most recent targeted location to encounter such warnings from the US president. Additionally, Trump indicated he would contemplate parallel steps against Los Angeles for the upcoming Olympic Games due to possible security concerns.

Jurisdictional Limits and Informal Leverage

While Trump does not have direct legal authority to directly relocate either tournament, he may exert influence the respective governing bodies managing each event to change host cities.

Context of Remarks

His statements were made during a media briefing with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the executive mansion following the revelation of a massive rescue package for the Argentine nation. At the conclusion of the gathering, a reporter inquired Trump about a latest public disturbance in downtown Boston where law enforcement were targeted and a cruiser was set on fire. The journalist also wondered if these incidents could result in the removal of organizing rights for the expanded football competition.

“I would take them away,” Trump remarked concerning the soccer fixtures, set to be held at Gillette Stadium. “The city's leader is poor … she is radical left, and activists are dominating areas of the city. That is a pretty big claim, isn't it?”

Urban Disturbances and Public Safety Concerns

Street takeovers, a online-fueled phenomenon where groups of people congregate on urban roads during nighttime to engage in dangerous driving, have become a repeated nuisance in metropolitan centers since the lockdown closures. Latest such gatherings have escalated into violence in the state, specifically in the city. Yet, these occurrences are typically not regarded as linked to any specific partisan agenda.

“When a city is failing, and I believe there’s security risks, I'd call Gianni [Infantino], who is outstanding, and suggest it should be shifted to another location,” Trump stated on Tuesday. “And he would do that. He might not prefer to do it, but he’d do it. Readily, he'd comply.”

Organizational Alignment

FIFA President has been open his strategies to be closely connected with the US leader before the 2026 event, set to be hosted in 11 cities across the America along with several in Canada and three in Mexico. The FIFA president has appeared at multiple White House events, had Trump hand over the club tournament award after the championship match, and has even delayed his FIFA's internal meeting to travel with Trump on a visit to the Arab region this year.

Previous Threats

This has not stopped, Trump from threatening the relocation of FIFA World Cup matches from different locations. In late September, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis were similar criticism, with Trump asserting both cities were “run by far-left extremists who are clueless what they’re doing,” while criticizing the safety level of both areas and suggesting that events could be relocated.

Official Rebuttal

FIFA vice-president Montagliani dismissed Trump’s assertions when he commented afterward at a conference in England.

“This is the organization's event, our responsibility, FIFA makes such choices,” the vice-president stated. “With all due respect to current world leaders, soccer is bigger than political figures and soccer will endure their tenure and their government. It's the strength of our game, that it is bigger than any individual and beyond individual states.”

Olympics Threat

During the event, Trump’s reply to a question about Boston extended to a similar threat regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“When I thought LA was not going to be sufficiently organized, I'd move it to another location as needed,” he said. “For the Olympics I’d probably have to get a varying consent, but we would do that.”

The permission Trump refers to would have to come from the Olympic governing body. The head, the newly elected president, was selected to her post in March and has so far not meet publicly with Trump, though she stated that she would like a discussion with the US figure at a future time.

Further Comments

Trump also criticized California governor Newsom’s response of recent blazes, stating that a comparable scenario could result in the removal of the event.

“In case he refuses to cooperate, we will have to be firm,” Trump said.

The warning was just as unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“They must address these issues,” Trump stated. “It's I can say.”