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Former President Trump has yet again stated he would influence FIFA to relocate upcoming World Cup events from a venue based on the local governance, with the Boston region becoming the latest urban area to encounter such warnings from the US president. Furthermore, Trump indicated he would contemplate comparable measures against Los Angeles for the 2028 Summer Games due to potential public safety risks.

Official Power and Potential Influence

While Trump holds no direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either competition, he can apply pressure the respective governing bodies overseeing each competition to move locations.

Background of Comments

The statements were made during a news conference with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the executive mansion following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar bailout for the Latin American nation. Toward the close of the meeting, a media member questioned Trump about a current public disturbance in the city where law enforcement were targeted and a police vehicle was burned. The correspondent also wondered if these incidents could cause the revocation of tournament responsibilities for the 48-team football competition.

“We could take them away,” Trump stated about the World Cup matches, set to be staged at the Foxborough venue. “Their mayor is poor … they're far-left, and activists are dominating areas of downtown. That is a pretty big claim, don't you think?”

Urban Disturbances and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven trend where large crowds gather on city streets late at night to perform stunts, have become a frequent problem in metropolitan centers since the coronavirus shutdowns. Recent such gatherings have escalated into violence in the region, notably in the city. However, these events are generally not seen as linked to any distinct ideological group.

“When a city is doing a bad job, and I perceive exist dangerous circumstances, I will call the FIFA head, who is outstanding, and suggest it should be shifted to a different city,” he commented on Tuesday. “He'd do that. He might not prefer the action, but he would comply. Very easily, he’d do it.”

FIFA Relationship

The organization's head has made no secret his strategies to be visibly associated with Trump prior to the 2026 event, planned to be organized in numerous American venues across the US along with two in the northern neighbor and multiple in the southern neighbor. The head has appeared at several White House events, had Trump deliver the FIFA club cup after the championship match, and has even rescheduled his the group's assembly to join Trump on a trip to the Middle East earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Despite this, Trump from suggesting the cancellation of World Cup matches from other US host cities. In late September, Seattle and San Francisco came under parallel statements, with Trump asserting both cities were “run by radical left lunatics who lack understanding what they're managing,” while criticizing the security conditions of both locales and suggesting that games could be removed.

Organizational Statement

The organization's deputy Montagliani dismissed Trump’s statements when he responded subsequently at a event in England.

“It’s the organization's event, FIFA’s jurisdiction, we decide these matters,” he stated. “With all due respect to national heads, the sport is transcends political figures and football will outlast their regime and their leadership. That is the essence of our game, that it is more significant than a single person and bigger than a nation.”

LA Games Warning

Similarly, Trump’s answer to a question about Boston extended to a comparable warning regarding the LA Olympic event.

“In case I thought LA was not prepared properly, I will move it to an alternate venue as needed,” Trump stated. “Regarding that event I’d probably have to secure a varying approval, but we'd proceed.”

The permission Trump alluded to would must come via the Olympic governing body. Their head, the newly elected president, was selected to her position in March and has not yet hold a public appearance with Trump, but she said that she hopes for a meeting with Trump at a future time.

Additional Criticism

The former president also criticized Gavin Newsom’s response of recent LA wildfires, saying that a parallel incident could cause the relocation of the Olympics.

“In case Newsom refuses to cooperate, we’re gonna have to be very tough,” he commented.

His statement was just as clear for Boston.

“Boston must improve their situation,” Trump stated. “That’s all I can say.”