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Ex-president Trump has once again stated he would influence FIFA to pull upcoming World Cup events from a designated city based on that city's governance, with the Boston region becoming the latest targeted location to face such threats from the US president. Moreover, Trump remarked he would contemplate parallel steps against LA for the upcoming Olympic Games due to potential security concerns.

Jurisdictional Limits and Informal Leverage

Although Trump lacks direct legal authority to personally cancel either event, he is able to apply pressure the international organizations overseeing each tournament to shift venues.

Context of Remarks

These remarks were made during a media briefing with Argentinian president Milei, who was visiting the executive mansion following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar financial assistance for the Latin American nation. Near the end of the gathering, a journalist inquired Trump about a current “street takeover” in downtown Boston where law enforcement were targeted and a police vehicle was burned. The correspondent also questioned if the situation could result in the revocation of organizing rights for the 48-team soccer tournament.

“I would take them away,” Trump remarked concerning the World Cup fixtures, set to be held at the Massachusetts arena. “She is ineffective … she is far-left, and activists are taking over areas of downtown. That’s a major assertion, don't you think?”

Urban Disturbances and Ideological Perceptions

Street takeovers, a digitally organized occurrence where participants gather on urban roads after dark to engage in dangerous driving, have emerged as a frequent issue in US urban areas since the lockdown restrictions. Latest such gatherings have escalated into violence in the region, including Boston. However, these gatherings are usually not seen as linked to any particular ideological group.

“If a mayor is doing a bad job, and I believe exist unsafe conditions, I will call the FIFA head, who is outstanding, and tell him we should relocate it to a different city,” he said on Tuesday. “He will do that. He may not enjoy doing it, but he’d do it. Without hesitation, he would.”

Political Connections

The organization's head has publicly acknowledged his strategies to be visibly associated with the US leader ahead of the 2026 event, set to be hosted in multiple US locations across the US along with two in Canada and a few in Mexico. The FIFA president has appeared at multiple presidential functions, arranged for Trump hand over the Club World Cup trophy after that tournament’s final, and has even postponed his own organization’s congress to travel with Trump on a journey to the Gulf states previously.

Past Statements

This has not stopped, Trump from suggesting the relocation of FIFA World Cup events from additional American venues. Recently, the Washington city and San Francisco faced parallel comments, with Trump asserting both cities were “governed by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they are doing,” while criticizing the security conditions of both cities and suggesting that games could be shifted.

Organizational Statement

The organization's deputy Montagliani dismissed Trump’s assertions when he reacted subsequently at a gathering in London.

“This is our competition, our responsibility, we decide these matters,” the vice-president said. “Politely to sitting presidents, the sport is bigger than them and soccer will survive their regime and their government. That’s the strength of our game, that it is more significant than one leader and beyond any country.”

Olympics Threat

On Tuesday, Trump’s response to a question about Boston included a similar threat regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“When I perceived the city was failing to be sufficiently organized, I would shift it to another location if necessary,” he said. “Regarding that event I may have to secure a varying consent, but we will proceed.”

The permission Trump alluded to would have to come via the Olympic governing body. The president, she, was selected to her position in March and has so far not hold a public appearance with Trump, although she indicated that she desires a meeting with him at a future time.

Further Comments

Trump also questioned California governor Newsom’s management of the California fires, stating that a similar situation could result in the relocation of the event.

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

His statement was just as direct for Boston.

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