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Former President Trump has repeatedly announced he would influence FIFA to relocate global soccer tournament games from a venue based on the local politics, with Massachusetts now being the latest such city to face such threats from the American leader. Additionally, Trump indicated he would evaluate similar action against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to potential security concerns.

Jurisdictional Limits and Potential Influence

Although Trump holds no official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either tournament, he may exert influence the organizing committees managing each competition to move host cities.

Background of Comments

These remarks were made during a media briefing with Argentina's leader Milei, who was present in the executive mansion following the disclosure of a $20 billion financial assistance for the South American nation. Near the close of the meeting, a media member inquired Trump about a latest unauthorized gathering in downtown Boston where authorities were assaulted and a patrol car was set on fire. The reporter also questioned if such events could result in the loss of organizing rights for the expanded World Cup.

“I would take them away,” Trump stated regarding the FIFA World Cup fixtures, planned to be held at the Foxborough venue. “She is not good … she’s far-left, and they’re taking over sections of the city. It's a major claim, right?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Public disruptions, a online-fueled trend where participants gather on urban roads during nighttime to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have been a frequent problem in metropolitan centers since the lockdown restrictions. Latest such gatherings have become aggressive in the region, specifically in Boston. Nevertheless, these gatherings are typically not seen as linked to any particular political ideology.

“In cases where a city is doing a bad job, and I perceive exist unsafe conditions, I will call the FIFA head, who is excellent, and tell him we should relocate it to a different city,” he commented during the event. “He will do that. He wouldn’t love the action, but he would comply. Very easily, he'd comply.”

Organizational Alignment

FIFA President has made no secret his strategies to be closely connected with the former president ahead of the 2026 event, set to be hosted in multiple US locations across the United States along with several in Canada and multiple in the southern neighbor. The FIFA president has been present at several presidential events, facilitated Trump present the FIFA club cup after that tournament’s final, and has even delayed his FIFA's internal meeting to join Trump on a visit to the Arab region previously.

Past Statements

This has not stopped, Trump from warning about the removal of World Cup events from other US host cities. In late September, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis were comparable criticism, with Trump stating both locations were “governed by far-left extremists who are clueless what they’re doing,” while criticizing the security conditions of both cities and implying that events could be removed.

Organizational Statement

Victor Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he reacted days later at a gathering in the UK capital.

“This is the organization's event, under our authority, we decide such choices,” he declared. “With all due respect to current world leaders, the sport is more important than any individual and the game will outlast their administration and their policies. That is the essence of this sport, that it is bigger than any individual and more important than a nation.”

Olympics Threat

During the event, Trump’s response to a question about Boston included a comparable warning regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“In case I perceived the city was not prepared properly, I'd move it to an alternate venue if I had to,” he remarked. “On that one I might have to obtain a different kind of consent, but we would proceed.”

Official consent Trump mentioned would must come via the IOC. The president, the newly elected president, was selected to her role in spring and has so far not hold a public appearance with him, although she stated that she hopes for a sit-down with him at a future time.

Additional Criticism

The former president also condemned the state's leader Newsom’s management of the blazes, saying that a similar situation could result in the relocation of the Games.

“If he doesn’t play ball, we are going to have to be very tough,” the former president said.

His statement was equally clear for Boston.

“Boston should address these issues,” Trump stated. “That’s all my message.”