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Donald Trump has once again announced he would influence FIFA to remove global soccer tournament games from a designated city based on municipal politics, with the Boston region becoming the most recent targeted location to receive such statements from the US president. Moreover, Trump indicated he would consider comparable measures against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to perceived safety issues.

Official Power and Potential Influence

Although Trump holds no official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either event, he can apply pressure the international organizations in charge of each event to change venues.

Setting for Statements

These remarks were made during a press event with Argentinian president Milei, who was present in the presidential residence following the disclosure of a $20 billion financial assistance for the Argentine nation. Toward the conclusion of the event, a journalist inquired Trump about a current public disturbance in Boston where law enforcement were targeted and a cruiser was set on fire. The journalist also wondered if the situation could cause the loss of hosting duties for the larger World Cup.

“I would take them away,” the former president stated concerning the World Cup games, set to be staged at Gillette Stadium. “She is not good … they're far-left, and they are taking over sections of downtown. That is a significant assertion, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Political Context

Street takeovers, a social media-driven occurrence where groups of people gather on urban roads late at night to perform stunts, have become a repeated nuisance in American cities since the Covid-19 pandemic closures. Recent incidents have become aggressive in Massachusetts, including the city. Nevertheless, these gatherings are typically not considered tied to any distinct political ideology.

“When a mayor is performing poorly, and I feel there are security risks, I would call the FIFA head, who is excellent, and suggest it should be shifted to another location,” he stated on Tuesday. “He will do that. He might not prefer the action, but he would comply. Readily, he'd comply.”

Organizational Alignment

Gianni Infantino has made no secret his efforts to be publicly aligned with the former president ahead of the 2026 event, scheduled to be staged in multiple US locations across the US along with a couple in the northern neighbor and multiple in Mexico. The FIFA president has appeared at various presidential gatherings, had Trump deliver the FIFA club cup after that tournament’s final, and has even delayed his FIFA's internal meeting to travel with Trump on a visit to the Arab region previously.

Past Statements

Nevertheless, Trump from suggesting the relocation of soccer events from additional American venues. On September 25, Seattle and San Francisco were parallel criticism, with Trump stating both cities were “run by ideological activists who don’t know what they are doing,” while criticizing the security conditions of both locales and claiming that games could be shifted.

Official Rebuttal

FIFA vice-president Montagliani dismissed Trump’s claims when he commented subsequently at a event in England.

“This is the organization's event, under our authority, FIFA makes those decisions,” Montagliani said. “With all due respect to current world leaders, soccer is transcends them and the game will endure their administration and their government. That’s the beauty of our game, that it is transcends one leader and beyond any country.”

Olympics Threat

Similarly, Trump’s reply to a question about the Massachusetts city included a parallel statement regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“In case I thought the city was not going to be adequately ready, I would move it to another location if I had to,” he remarked. “On that one I might have to obtain a alternative approval, but we will take that action.”

Official consent Trump mentioned would must come through the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The leader, Kirsty Coventry, was chosen to her post in this year and has yet to appear together with the former president, although she said that she hopes for a sit-down with him at some point.

Other Remarks

The former president also questioned California governor Newsom’s management of the LA wildfires, stating that a comparable scenario could cause the removal of the event.

“In case the governor refuses to cooperate, we will have to be firm,” he commented.

His message was similarly unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“The city should clean up their act,” he remarked. “It's I can say.”