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Donald Trump has repeatedly declared he would urge FIFA to remove upcoming World Cup events from a venue based on that city's political climate, with the Boston region now being the third urban area to encounter such warnings from the US president. Furthermore, Trump indicated he would consider comparable measures against LA for the 2028 Olympics due to perceived public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Possible Pressure

While Trump holds no formal power to directly relocate either event, he is able to apply pressure the international organizations overseeing each competition to change locations.

Context of Remarks

These remarks were made during a media briefing with Argentinian president Milei, who was visiting the executive mansion following the revelation of a $20 billion financial assistance for the South American country. At the end of the event, a media member questioned Trump about a recent public disturbance in Boston where police officers were assaulted and a patrol car was set on fire. The journalist also wondered if the situation could lead to the removal of organizing rights for the larger soccer tournament.

“It's possible to take them away,” Trump remarked regarding the soccer fixtures, set to be staged at the Foxborough venue. “The city's leader is ineffective … she’s extremist, and they’re dominating sections of Boston. That is a significant claim, don't you think?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven occurrence where participants congregate on public avenues during nighttime to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have emerged as a frequent problem in metropolitan centers since the coronavirus closures. Current such gatherings have become aggressive in Massachusetts, notably in downtown. However, these events are generally not regarded as linked to any distinct political ideology.

“In cases where someone is failing, and I perceive there are security risks, I'd call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and say we should relocate it to an alternate venue,” Trump commented during the event. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy the action, but he’d do it. Readily, he would.”

Organizational Alignment

FIFA President has publicly acknowledged his attempts to be closely connected with the former president prior to the 2026 event, set to be organized in 11 cities across the United States along with two in Canada and three in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has appeared at multiple presidential functions, arranged for Trump present the Club World Cup cup after that tournament’s final, and has even delayed his the group's assembly to travel with Trump on a trip to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

This has not stopped, Trump from warning about the removal of soccer events from different locations. Recently, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis faced similar statements, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “led by ideological activists who are clueless what they're managing,” while questioning the security conditions of both cities and claiming that events could be shifted.

Official Rebuttal

The organization's deputy Montagliani dismissed Trump’s claims when he commented subsequently at a gathering in England.

“It is FIFA’s tournament, our responsibility, the organization determines such choices,” he said. “Politely to current world leaders, soccer is more important than political figures and football will survive their regime and their government. That’s the beauty of football, that it is bigger than a single person and bigger than individual states.”

LA Games Warning

Similarly, Trump’s reply to a query about Boston veered into a comparable warning regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“If I believed LA was failing to be adequately ready, I'd shift it to an alternate venue if I had to,” he said. “For the Olympics I might have to secure a varying consent, but we will do that.”

The permission Trump refers to would must come via the Olympic governing body. Their leader, the newly elected president, was elected to her post in March and has so far not hold a public appearance with Trump, but she stated that she would like a sit-down with Trump at eventually.

Further Comments

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

“When he is uncooperative, we’re gonna have to be firm,” the former president said.

The warning was equally direct for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston must address these issues,” Trump stated. “It's I can say.”