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Donald Trump has repeatedly declared he would pressure FIFA to pull upcoming World Cup matches from a venue based on the local governance, with Boston now being the latest urban area to receive such statements from the US president. Furthermore, Trump suggested he would evaluate similar action against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to perceived public safety risks.

Jurisdictional Limits and Informal Leverage

While Trump lacks formal power to personally cancel either event, he is able to apply pressure the respective governing bodies in charge of each event to change venues.

Context of Remarks

The remarks were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was at the White House following the revelation of a massive bailout for the Latin American country. Near the end of the event, a media member asked Trump about a current unauthorized gathering in Boston where law enforcement were assaulted and a police vehicle was ignited. The journalist also questioned if the situation could lead to the removal of organizing rights for the larger soccer tournament.

“It's possible to take them away,” the former president remarked about the FIFA World Cup fixtures, scheduled to be staged at the Foxborough venue. “Their mayor is not good … she’s radical left, and they’re occupying parts of Boston. That’s a significant statement, don't you think?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Public disruptions, a online-fueled trend where participants congregate on urban roads during nighttime to engage in dangerous driving, have emerged as a repeated issue in US urban areas since the coronavirus shutdowns. Current similar events have become aggressive in the region, notably in the city. However, these occurrences are generally not regarded as tied to any distinct political ideology.

“When someone is failing, and I believe exist dangerous circumstances, I would call the FIFA head, who is phenomenal, and say we should relocate it to another location,” Trump stated publicly. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy doing it, but he’d do it. Readily, he would.”

FIFA Relationship

Gianni Infantino has been open his attempts to be publicly aligned with the US leader before next year’s tournament, scheduled to be staged in 11 cities across the United States along with two in Canada and multiple in Mexico. The FIFA president has participated at several presidential gatherings, arranged for Trump deliver the Club World Cup cup after the championship match, and has even delayed his the group's assembly to join Trump on a trip to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Past Statements

Nevertheless, Trump from suggesting the removal of World Cup matches from different locations. In late September, the Washington city and San Francisco came under similar criticism, with Trump claiming both locations were “governed by far-left extremists who don’t know what they’re doing,” while criticizing the security conditions of both locales and claiming that events could be removed.

FIFA Response

Victor Montagliani rejected Trump’s assertions when he commented subsequently at a gathering in the UK capital.

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, under our authority, FIFA makes such choices,” he said. “Respectfully to sitting presidents, the sport is transcends any individual and soccer will survive their regime and their policies. That is the essence of our game, that it is bigger than a single person and more important than a nation.”

LA Games Warning

On Tuesday, Trump’s response to a question about Boston extended to a parallel statement regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“In case I believed LA was not going to be prepared properly, I will move it to another location if I had to,” Trump stated. “Regarding that event I might have to obtain a alternative consent, but we'd do that.”

Any approval Trump refers to would have to come through the Olympic governing body. The leader, the newly elected president, was elected to her role in this year and has not yet hold a public appearance with the former president, although she stated that she desires a meeting with him at eventually.

Additional Criticism

The former president also questioned California governor Newsom’s response of this year’s California fires, remarking that a similar situation could cause the removal of the Olympics.

“In case Newsom doesn’t play ball, we will have to be firm,” the former president stated.

The warning was just as unambiguous for Boston.

“Boston should address these issues,” he said. “It's I can say.”