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Former President Trump has repeatedly declared he would pressure FIFA to relocate 2026 World Cup games from a host city based on the local governance, with Massachusetts becoming the third targeted location to face such statements from the White House. Moreover, Trump indicated he would evaluate parallel steps against Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics due to perceived safety issues.

Legal Authority and Informal Leverage

Although Trump does not have direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either event, he may apply pressure the international organizations managing each competition to shift venues.

Context of Remarks

His comments were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was visiting the White House following the disclosure of a massive bailout for the Latin American economy. At the conclusion of the event, a media member asked Trump about a current unauthorized gathering in Boston where authorities were targeted and a police vehicle was burned. The journalist also asked if such events could result in the removal of tournament responsibilities for the expanded soccer tournament.

“I would take them away,” the former president said concerning the World Cup matches, set to be held at the Massachusetts arena. “The city's leader is not good … she’s far-left, and activists are taking over areas of Boston. That’s a significant claim, isn't it?”

Street Takeovers and Public Safety Concerns

Public disruptions, a social media-driven phenomenon where participants gather on public avenues during nighttime to perform stunts, have emerged as a repeated nuisance in metropolitan centers since the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Latest incidents have escalated into violence in the state, notably in Boston. Nevertheless, these gatherings are typically not considered associated with any particular ideological group.

“When a city is failing, and I believe exist unsafe conditions, I will call the FIFA head, who is phenomenal, and tell him let’s move it to a different city,” the former president stated during the event. “He will do that. He wouldn’t love to do it, but he'd agree. Readily, he'd comply.”

Political Connections

FIFA President has made no secret his attempts to be publicly aligned with the US leader before next year’s tournament, set to be hosted in multiple US locations across the US along with several in the northern neighbor and a few in the southern neighbor. The FIFA president has been present at multiple Oval Office events, had Trump deliver the club tournament cup after the concluding game, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to join Trump on a visit to the Arab region previously.

Earlier Warnings

This has not stopped, Trump from suggesting the removal of soccer games from different locations. Recently, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis came under comparable statements, with Trump claiming both cities were “governed by far-left extremists who are clueless what they are doing,” while challenging the security conditions of both cities and claiming that games could be shifted.

Official Rebuttal

The organization's deputy Montagliani dismissed Trump’s claims when he responded days later at a conference in London.

“It is our competition, under our authority, the organization determines such choices,” he said. “Respectfully to current world leaders, football is transcends political figures and soccer will outlast their tenure and their policies. That’s the beauty of this sport, that it is transcends one leader and more important than individual states.”

Olympics Threat

During the event, Trump’s reply to a inquiry about the Massachusetts city extended to a comparable warning regarding the LA Olympic event.

“In case I believed the city was failing to be sufficiently organized, I will relocate it to a different city if necessary,” he remarked. “On that one I’d probably have to secure a varying permission, but we will do that.”

Any approval Trump alluded to would must come via the IOC. Their leader, Kirsty Coventry, was selected to her post in March and has so far not meet publicly with the former president, but she stated that she would like a sit-down with him at a future time.

Further Comments

He also criticized Gavin Newsom’s response of recent California fires, stating that a parallel incident could cause the cancellation of the event.

“If Newsom is uncooperative, we’re gonna have to be firm,” Trump said.

His statement was similarly unambiguous for Boston.

“They must address these issues,” he remarked. “It's I can say.”