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Ex-president Trump has yet again declared he would pressure FIFA to remove upcoming World Cup events from a host city based on municipal political climate, with the Boston region emerging as the latest such city to encounter such threats from the US president. Moreover, Trump indicated he would consider similar action against Los Angeles for the 2028 Summer Games due to potential safety issues.

Legal Authority and Possible Pressure

Although Trump lacks formal power to unilaterally remove either competition, he can lobby the organizing committees in charge of each tournament to change locations.

Context of Remarks

These comments were made during a news conference with Argentina's leader Milei, who was present in the presidential residence following the disclosure of a multibillion-dollar rescue package for the South American economy. Near the end of the meeting, a reporter questioned Trump about a latest public disturbance in the city where law enforcement were targeted and a police vehicle was burned. The journalist also asked if the situation could result in the removal of tournament responsibilities for the expanded football competition.

“I would take them away,” he remarked regarding the FIFA World Cup matches, planned to be staged at the Foxborough venue. “Their mayor is poor … they're extremist, and they are dominating areas of Boston. That is a major statement, right?”

Public Gatherings and Public Safety Concerns

Public disruptions, a digitally organized phenomenon where groups of people assemble on city streets after dark to perform stunts, have emerged as a repeated nuisance in American cities since the Covid-19 pandemic shutdowns. Recent similar events have escalated into violence in Massachusetts, including Boston. Yet, these occurrences are typically not regarded as associated with any specific political ideology.

“When a mayor is doing a bad job, and I believe exist unsafe conditions, I will call Gianni [Infantino], who is outstanding, and tell him it should be shifted to a different city,” Trump said publicly. “And he would do that. He might not prefer doing it, but he'd agree. Readily, he would.”

Organizational Alignment

The organization's head has been open his attempts to be publicly aligned with the former president ahead of the 2026 event, planned to be staged in 11 cities across the US along with several in Canada and a few in Mexico. The head has been present at various Oval Office functions, facilitated Trump deliver the FIFA club cup after the championship match, and has even postponed his FIFA's internal meeting to travel with Trump on a visit to the Arab region previously.

Past Statements

This has not stopped, Trump from warning about the relocation of World Cup matches from different locations. In late September, the Washington city and San Francisco came under similar comments, with Trump stating both cities were “run by far-left extremists who lack understanding what they’re doing,” while challenging the public safety of both cities and implying that events could be shifted.

Organizational Statement

The organization's deputy Montagliani rejected Trump’s claims when he commented days later at a conference in the UK capital.

“It is our competition, under our authority, the organization determines such choices,” he declared. “Politely to national heads, football is bigger than political figures and football will survive their administration and their policies. That’s the essence of our game, that it is more significant than a single person and beyond individual states.”

LA Games Warning

Similarly, Trump’s response to a inquiry about the Massachusetts city veered into a comparable warning regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“When I thought LA was not going to be adequately ready, I will move it to an alternate venue if necessary,” he said. “For the Olympics I’d probably have to secure a different kind of consent, but we'd do that.”

Official consent Trump refers to would must come via the IOC. Their president, she, was selected to her position in March and has yet to appear together with him, although she indicated that she desires a meeting with him at eventually.

Other Remarks

The former president also criticized Gavin Newsom’s management of recent California fires, remarking that a comparable scenario could lead to the cancellation of the event.

“If he is uncooperative, we are going to have to be firm,” the former president stated.

His statement was similarly unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“They must address these issues,” he remarked. “That’s all I can say.”