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Donald Trump has repeatedly announced he would influence FIFA to pull upcoming World Cup games from a designated city based on the local political climate, with the Boston region becoming the most recent targeted location to receive such warnings from the American leader. Additionally, Trump indicated he would contemplate similar action against Los Angeles for the upcoming Olympic Games due to perceived public safety risks.

Jurisdictional Limits and Possible Pressure

While Trump lacks official jurisdiction to personally cancel either tournament, he may apply pressure the international organizations overseeing each tournament to change locations.

Background of Comments

These statements were made during a news conference with Javier Milei, who was visiting the White House following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar bailout for the South American country. Toward the end of the event, a reporter inquired Trump about a current unauthorized gathering in downtown Boston where law enforcement were targeted and a patrol car was ignited. The correspondent also questioned if such events could result in the loss of tournament responsibilities for the 48-team World Cup.

“We could take them away,” Trump said about the World Cup fixtures, planned to be staged at Gillette Stadium. “The city's leader is ineffective … they're far-left, and they’re dominating parts of the city. That is a significant assertion, don't you think?”

Street Takeovers and Ideological Perceptions

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven phenomenon where participants congregate on urban roads after dark to engage in dangerous driving, have been a frequent nuisance in American cities since the coronavirus restrictions. Recent similar events have turned violent in the state, including Boston. Nevertheless, these events are generally not seen as tied to any specific partisan agenda.

“In cases where a city is performing poorly, and I perceive there’s unsafe conditions, I will call the organization's president, who is outstanding, and suggest let’s move it to another location,” Trump stated during the event. “He'd do that. He wouldn’t love doing it, but he’d do it. Very easily, he would.”

FIFA Relationship

The organization's head has been open his efforts to be closely connected with the former president before the 2026 event, scheduled to be hosted in numerous American venues across the United States along with two in Canada and three in the southern neighbor. The head has appeared at several White House gatherings, facilitated Trump deliver the Club World Cup trophy after the concluding game, and has even rescheduled his the group's assembly to accompany Trump on a journey to the Middle East earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

Nevertheless, Trump from threatening the relocation of soccer games from additional American venues. Recently, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis were similar criticism, with Trump claiming both cities were “led by radical left lunatics who lack understanding what they are doing,” while questioning the security conditions of both cities and suggesting that games could be removed.

Official Rebuttal

FIFA vice-president Montagliani dismissed Trump’s claims when he responded afterward at a event in England.

“This is the organization's event, our responsibility, FIFA makes such choices,” the vice-president said. “With all due respect to national heads, the sport is more important than any individual and the game will outlast their administration and their policies. It's the strength of football, that it is transcends one leader and bigger than individual states.”

2028 Comments

During the event, Trump’s response to a query about the Massachusetts city veered into a similar threat regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“In case I perceived the city was not adequately ready, I would relocate it to an alternate venue as needed,” he said. “Regarding that event I may have to get a different kind of permission, but we will take that action.”

Official consent Trump refers to would have to come through the IOC. Their leader, she, was selected to her role in this year and has yet to appear together with him, although she indicated that she hopes for a discussion with him at some point.

Further Comments

He also criticized California governor Newsom’s response of recent LA wildfires, remarking that a similar situation could cause the relocation of the Olympics.

“If he is uncooperative, we are going to have to be very tough,” he said.

The warning was just as unambiguous for Boston.

“The city must address these issues,” Trump stated. “That’s all I can say.”