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Ex-president Trump has once again announced he would pressure FIFA to remove upcoming World Cup events from a host city based on municipal governance, with Massachusetts now being the most recent such city to face such statements from the US president. Additionally, Trump suggested he would contemplate comparable measures against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to possible public safety risks.

Jurisdictional Limits and Possible Pressure

Even though Trump lacks official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either event, he can lobby the respective governing bodies overseeing each tournament to move host cities.

Background of Comments

These remarks were made during a media briefing with Argentinian president Milei, who was present in the executive mansion following the announcement of a massive rescue package for the Latin American nation. Near the conclusion of the meeting, a journalist questioned Trump about a current “street takeover” in Boston where police officers were attacked and a patrol car was set on fire. The reporter also questioned if these incidents could result in the revocation of hosting duties for the expanded soccer tournament.

“It's possible to take them away,” Trump said regarding the soccer games, planned to be held at the Massachusetts arena. “She is ineffective … she’s far-left, and they are dominating sections of Boston. It's a significant claim, don't you think?”

Urban Disturbances and Public Safety Concerns

Street takeovers, a digitally organized phenomenon where groups of people congregate on city streets late at night to perform stunts, have become a frequent nuisance in American cities since the coronavirus closures. Latest such gatherings have escalated into violence in the state, notably in Boston. However, these occurrences are typically not seen as associated with any distinct ideological group.

“In cases where someone is doing a bad job, and I feel there are security risks, I would call Gianni [Infantino], who is excellent, and tell him we should relocate it to another location,” he commented during the event. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy to do it, but he would comply. Without hesitation, he would.”

FIFA Relationship

FIFA President has been open his strategies to be publicly aligned with the former president ahead of the 2026 event, planned to be hosted in numerous American venues across the US along with two in the northern neighbor and multiple in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has participated at various Oval Office events, facilitated Trump present the FIFA club award after the championship match, and has even rescheduled his FIFA's internal meeting to accompany Trump on a trip to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

This has not stopped, Trump from suggesting the relocation of World Cup games from additional American venues. On September 25, the Washington city and San Francisco faced similar statements, with Trump asserting both locations were “led by ideological activists who are clueless what they’re doing,” while criticizing the safety level of both locales and implying that matches could be removed.

Organizational Statement

Victor Montagliani dismissed Trump’s claims when he commented afterward at a conference in England.

“It is our competition, under our authority, FIFA makes these matters,” he declared. “Respectfully to national heads, the sport is transcends political figures and soccer will survive their administration and their policies. That is the essence of this sport, that it is transcends one leader and more important than any country.”

Olympics Threat

On Tuesday, Trump’s reply to a inquiry about Boston extended to a comparable warning regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“When I believed Los Angeles was not going to be adequately ready, I will relocate it to another location if necessary,” he said. “For the Olympics I might have to get a different kind of permission, but we'd take that action.”

The permission Trump mentioned would need to come through the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their leader, she, was selected to her post in spring and has not yet appear together with him, though she said that she desires a sit-down with Trump at some point.

Additional Criticism

The former president also questioned the state's leader Newsom’s response of this year’s blazes, remarking that a similar situation could lead to the removal of the Games.

“If he doesn’t play ball, we’re gonna have to be strict,” he said.

His statement was just as clear for Boston.

“They should clean up their act,” he remarked. “That is I will say.”