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Donald Trump has repeatedly declared he would urge FIFA to remove 2026 World Cup matches from a venue based on the local political climate, with the Boston region becoming the third urban area to face such statements from the American leader. Furthermore, Trump suggested he would evaluate parallel steps against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to potential safety issues.

Official Power and Possible Pressure

While Trump holds no official jurisdiction to directly relocate either event, he is able to exert influence the respective governing bodies managing each competition to shift host cities.

Background of Comments

These remarks were made during a media briefing with Argentinian president Milei, who was present in the White House following the announcement of a $20 billion rescue package for the Argentine nation. Toward the close of the event, a reporter asked Trump about a latest “street takeover” in downtown Boston where police officers were assaulted and a cruiser was set on fire. The correspondent also asked if these incidents could result in the loss of organizing rights for the 48-team football competition.

“It's possible to take them away,” the former president stated about the FIFA World Cup fixtures, set to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “The city's leader is ineffective … she is far-left, and they are occupying parts of the city. That’s a pretty big assertion, isn't it?”

Street Takeovers and Ideological Perceptions

Unauthorized gatherings, a digitally organized trend where groups of people assemble on city streets after dark to engage in dangerous driving, have been a ongoing nuisance in American cities since the lockdown closures. Recent similar events have escalated into violence in Massachusetts, specifically in Boston. However, these occurrences are typically not seen as associated with any distinct partisan agenda.

“In cases where a city is doing a bad job, and I perceive there’s dangerous circumstances, I would call Gianni [Infantino], who is outstanding, and suggest it should be shifted to a different city,” he commented publicly. “He will do that. He might not prefer doing it, but he would comply. Very easily, he would.”

FIFA Relationship

FIFA President has made no secret his strategies to be publicly aligned with Trump before the 2026 event, set to be hosted in numerous American venues across the America along with two in the northern neighbor and three in the southern neighbor. The head has appeared at several presidential gatherings, arranged for Trump hand over the Club World Cup cup after the championship match, and has even postponed his the group's assembly to accompany Trump on a trip to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Past Statements

This has not stopped, Trump from warning about the relocation of World Cup matches from other US host cities. In late September, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis were parallel criticism, with Trump stating both locations were “led by ideological activists who are clueless what they are doing,” while criticizing the public safety of both locales and implying that games could be removed.

Organizational Statement

The organization's deputy Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he responded days later at a gathering in London.

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, our responsibility, we decide these matters,” he said. “With all due respect to sitting presidents, football is more important than political figures and the game will endure their administration and their leadership. It's the beauty of football, that it is bigger than a single person and more important than a nation.”

LA Games Warning

During the event, Trump’s response to a inquiry about Boston included a similar threat regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“When I perceived the city was not going to be sufficiently organized, I would shift it to a different city if necessary,” he remarked. “For the Olympics I’d probably have to obtain a alternative permission, but we will take that action.”

Official consent Trump alluded to would have to come via the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their president, Kirsty Coventry, was elected to her role in spring and has yet to meet publicly with Trump, although she stated that she hopes for a meeting with him at some point.

Other Remarks

He also questioned the state's leader Newsom’s handling of recent LA wildfires, saying that a comparable scenario could cause the relocation of the Games.

“If the governor doesn’t play ball, we will have to be very tough,” Trump commented.

The warning was similarly unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“They better clean up their act,” Trump stated. “That’s all my message.”