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Ex-president Trump has yet again stated he would urge FIFA to remove 2026 World Cup events from a designated city based on the local politics, with the Boston region now being the latest targeted location to encounter such statements from the American leader. Additionally, Trump suggested he would contemplate similar action against LA for the 2028 Summer Games due to perceived public safety risks.

Jurisdictional Limits and Potential Influence

Although Trump does not have direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either competition, he may lobby the international organizations managing each tournament to move host cities.

Setting for Statements

These statements were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was at the presidential residence following the disclosure of a $20 billion financial assistance for the South American economy. Near the conclusion of the event, a reporter inquired Trump about a current public disturbance in the city where law enforcement were targeted and a police vehicle was burned. The journalist also asked if such events could cause the loss of organizing rights for the 48-team soccer tournament.

“It's possible to take them away,” he said about the World Cup games, set to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “Their mayor is ineffective … she’s far-left, and they are taking over areas of the city. That is a significant claim, right?”

Public Gatherings and Public Safety Concerns

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven trend where large crowds assemble on public avenues late at night to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have become a frequent issue in American cities since the coronavirus restrictions. Latest similar events have escalated into violence in Massachusetts, including the city. Yet, these gatherings are generally not regarded as linked to any distinct political ideology.

“When a mayor is failing, and I perceive exist unsafe conditions, I'd call the FIFA head, who is excellent, and say let’s move it to a different city,” the former president stated during the event. “He will do that. He wouldn’t love doing it, but he'd agree. Very easily, he’d do it.”

Political Connections

Gianni Infantino has been open his attempts to be closely connected with Trump before the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to be staged in 11 cities across the US along with a couple in Canada and three in Mexico. The head has appeared at various presidential gatherings, had Trump hand over the Club World Cup award after that tournament’s final, and has even postponed his own organization’s congress to accompany Trump on a visit to the Middle East earlier in 2025.

Past Statements

This has not stopped, Trump from threatening the cancellation of World Cup events from additional American venues. In late September, Seattle and San Francisco came under comparable statements, with Trump stating both locations were “run by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they're managing,” while criticizing the security conditions of both cities and implying that games could be relocated.

Organizational Statement

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

“It is FIFA’s tournament, our responsibility, the organization determines such choices,” Montagliani said. “Respectfully to national heads, football is transcends any individual and soccer will endure their tenure and their government. That is the essence of this sport, that it is bigger than one leader and bigger than a nation.”

2028 Comments

During the event, Trump’s response to a question about Boston extended to a parallel statement regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“If I perceived Los Angeles was not going to be adequately ready, I would move it to an alternate venue if necessary,” he remarked. “Regarding that event I might have to obtain a different kind of consent, but we'd take that action.”

The permission Trump mentioned would have to come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The president, Kirsty Coventry, was elected to her position in March and has so far not appear together with Trump, but she said that she desires a discussion with him at eventually.

Other Remarks

Trump also questioned California governor Newsom’s response of recent blazes, remarking that a parallel incident could cause the relocation of the Games.

“When the governor refuses to cooperate, we will have to be very tough,” the former president said.

His message was equally direct for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston must improve their situation,” he remarked. “That’s all I will say.”