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Former President Trump has once again stated he would influence FIFA to remove 2026 World Cup games from a designated city based on municipal governance, with the Boston region becoming the latest such city to receive such statements from the White House. Furthermore, Trump remarked he would consider similar action against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to potential public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Possible Pressure

Although Trump lacks direct legal authority to personally cancel either tournament, he is able to exert influence the respective governing bodies managing each event to move venues.

Background of Comments

The statements were made during a media briefing with Javier Milei, who was at the presidential residence following the disclosure of a $20 billion rescue package for the Argentine economy. Toward the end of the gathering, a media member questioned Trump about a current unauthorized gathering in downtown Boston where authorities were assaulted and a patrol car was set on fire. The journalist also questioned if the situation could result in the removal of hosting duties for the larger World Cup.

“It's possible to take them away,” Trump stated regarding the soccer matches, scheduled to be hosted at Gillette Stadium. “She is poor … she’s extremist, and they are taking over areas of downtown. That’s a major claim, don't you think?”

Urban Disturbances and Public Safety Concerns

Public disruptions, a online-fueled phenomenon where groups of people assemble on city streets late at night to perform stunts, have been a frequent nuisance in metropolitan centers since the Covid-19 pandemic shutdowns. Recent incidents have escalated into violence in Massachusetts, specifically in the city. Nevertheless, these events are typically not seen as tied to any particular ideological group.

“In cases where a city is doing a bad job, and I believe there are security risks, I'd call the FIFA head, who is outstanding, and suggest we should relocate it to a different city,” he said during the event. “He will do that. He may not enjoy the action, but he’d do it. Readily, he’d do it.”

Organizational Alignment

Gianni Infantino has been open his strategies to be visibly associated with Trump before the upcoming World Cup, planned to be hosted in 11 cities across the United States along with a couple in the northern neighbor and multiple in the southern neighbor. The head has been present at several White House events, had Trump hand over the Club World Cup cup after the championship match, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to accompany Trump on a journey to the Middle East earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

This has not stopped, Trump from suggesting the removal of World Cup events from additional American venues. In late September, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis faced parallel criticism, with Trump asserting both locations were “run by radical left lunatics who lack understanding what they're managing,” while criticizing the public safety of both areas and implying that events could be relocated.

Organizational Statement

The organization's deputy Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s assertions when he reacted subsequently at a conference in England.

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, under our authority, the organization determines these matters,” he declared. “Politely to sitting presidents, football is more important than political figures and the game will survive their tenure and their policies. That is the strength of football, that it is bigger than a single person and more important than a nation.”

LA Games Warning

During the event, Trump’s answer to a query about Boston extended to a parallel statement regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“When I thought LA was not going to be sufficiently organized, I would relocate it to a different city as needed,” he said. “For the Olympics I’d probably have to get a varying approval, but we'd take that action.”

Any approval Trump refers to would have to come through the IOC. Their leader, she, was selected to her post in this year and has not yet appear together with Trump, but she stated that she would like a sit-down with the US figure at some point.

Further Comments

The former president also questioned Gavin Newsom’s response of recent blazes, remarking that a similar situation could result in the relocation of the event.

“When he refuses to cooperate, we are going to have to be strict,” Trump said.

His statement was similarly unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston better address these issues,” Trump stated. “It's my message.”