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Ex-president Trump has repeatedly declared he would pressure FIFA to pull upcoming World Cup games from a host city based on municipal political climate, with the Boston region now being the most recent such city to face such threats from the White House. Furthermore, Trump indicated he would consider similar action against Los Angeles for the 2028 Summer Games due to potential public safety risks.

Official Power and Possible Pressure

While Trump holds no official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either competition, he is able to lobby the respective governing bodies managing each event to move host cities.

Background of Comments

These comments were made during a press event with Argentinian president Milei, who was visiting the executive mansion following the announcement of a $20 billion rescue package for the South American country. At the end of the event, a media member questioned Trump about a recent “street takeover” in downtown Boston where law enforcement were targeted and a patrol car was ignited. The reporter also asked if such events could lead to the loss of organizing rights for the 48-team World Cup.

“We could take them away,” Trump said regarding the World Cup games, planned to be hosted at Gillette Stadium. “She is ineffective … she’s extremist, and they are taking over sections of Boston. That’s a major claim, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a online-fueled trend where groups of people gather on public avenues during nighttime to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have been a ongoing problem in American cities since the lockdown closures. Latest similar events have escalated into violence in the region, specifically in the city. Yet, these occurrences are usually not regarded as associated with any particular political ideology.

“In cases where someone is performing poorly, and I believe there are dangerous circumstances, I will call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and say let’s move it to another location,” the former president commented during the event. “He'd do that. He might not prefer doing it, but he would comply. Without hesitation, he’d do it.”

Political Connections

FIFA President has publicly acknowledged his efforts to be closely connected with the US leader prior to the upcoming World Cup, set to be staged in multiple US locations across the America along with several in the northern neighbor and multiple in Mexico. The head has participated at several presidential functions, arranged for Trump deliver the club tournament trophy after the concluding game, and has even rescheduled his FIFA's internal meeting to travel with Trump on a journey to the Middle East earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Nevertheless, Trump from threatening the removal of World Cup matches from different locations. In late September, the Washington city and San Francisco faced parallel criticism, with Trump asserting both locations were “led by far-left extremists who are clueless what they are doing,” while challenging the security conditions of both cities and claiming that events could be relocated.

Organizational Statement

Victor Montagliani dismissed Trump’s claims when he commented days later at a event in the UK capital.

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, our responsibility, FIFA makes these matters,” Montagliani stated. “Respectfully to current world leaders, football is more important than them and football will outlast their regime and their leadership. It's the beauty of our game, that it is bigger than a single person and more important than individual states.”

LA Games Warning

Similarly, Trump’s answer to a query about Boston veered into a comparable warning regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“In case I thought the city was failing to be adequately ready, I will move it to another location if I had to,” he remarked. “Regarding that event I may have to secure a alternative approval, but we'd do that.”

Any approval Trump alluded to would have to come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their leader, Kirsty Coventry, was selected to her post in this year and has yet to appear together with the former president, but she stated that she hopes for a discussion with the US figure at eventually.

Further Comments

He also criticized California governor Newsom’s management of recent LA wildfires, saying that a similar situation could lead to the relocation of the Olympics.

“In case he is uncooperative, we’re gonna have to be firm,” he commented.

The warning was equally unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“They must address these issues,” he remarked. “It's my message.”