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Donald Trump has repeatedly declared he would pressure FIFA to pull upcoming World Cup matches from a venue based on municipal political climate, with Boston becoming the latest such city to encounter such threats from the American leader. Additionally, Trump indicated he would contemplate comparable measures against Los Angeles for the upcoming Olympic Games due to perceived public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Possible Pressure

While Trump lacks official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either competition, he can exert influence the respective governing bodies in charge of each event to move locations.

Context of Remarks

These remarks were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was visiting the presidential residence following the announcement of a massive bailout for the Latin American country. Near the close of the event, a reporter inquired Trump about a current public disturbance in Boston where authorities were attacked and a patrol car was ignited. The journalist also questioned if such events could result in the removal of hosting duties for the larger football competition.

“I would take them away,” Trump said concerning the soccer fixtures, set to be held at the Foxborough venue. “She is not good … they're extremist, and they are taking over sections of downtown. That is a major claim, right?”

Public Gatherings and Ideological Perceptions

Street takeovers, a digitally organized occurrence where large crowds congregate on urban roads during nighttime to engage in dangerous driving, have emerged as a frequent issue in US urban areas since the lockdown shutdowns. Current similar events have become aggressive in the region, including the city. However, these occurrences are usually not considered associated with any distinct ideological group.

“If a mayor is performing poorly, and I feel there’s dangerous circumstances, I would call the FIFA head, who is phenomenal, and say we should relocate it to a different city,” the former president commented during the event. “He'd do that. He wouldn’t love doing it, but he would comply. Readily, he would.”

FIFA Relationship

FIFA President has been open his attempts to be visibly associated with the former president before the 2026 event, scheduled to be organized in numerous American venues across the US along with a couple in Canada and multiple in Mexico. The head has appeared at several Oval Office gatherings, had Trump hand over the club tournament cup after the concluding game, and has even postponed his FIFA's internal meeting to join Trump on a trip to the Gulf states this year.

Past Statements

Despite this, Trump from warning about the relocation of soccer events from other US host cities. In late September, the Washington city and San Francisco faced parallel statements, with Trump claiming both locations were “led by far-left extremists who lack understanding what they're managing,” while challenging the public safety of both cities and suggesting that matches could be relocated.

Official Rebuttal

The organization's deputy Montagliani rejected Trump’s statements when he commented days later at a conference in London.

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, under our authority, FIFA makes those decisions,” he declared. “Respectfully to current world leaders, the sport is transcends any individual and soccer will survive their tenure and their policies. That’s the strength of our game, that it is transcends a single person and beyond any country.”

2028 Comments

Similarly, Trump’s reply to a query about Boston veered into a comparable warning regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“When I perceived the city was not adequately ready, I would move it to an alternate venue as needed,” he remarked. “For the Olympics I’d probably have to obtain a varying permission, but we'd do that.”

Official consent Trump mentioned would have to come from the IOC. The head, the newly elected president, was chosen to her position in this year and has yet to appear together with Trump, although she indicated that she would like a sit-down with Trump at a future time.

Further Comments

Trump also criticized Gavin Newsom’s response of the California fires, stating that a comparable scenario could result in the cancellation of the Games.

“When the governor doesn’t play ball, we’re gonna have to be very tough,” the former president said.

His statement was just as clear for the Massachusetts city.

“The city better clean up their act,” he said. “That is I will say.”