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Former President Trump has repeatedly stated he would influence FIFA to remove global soccer tournament matches from a designated city based on the local political climate, with Massachusetts becoming the third targeted location to encounter such warnings from the White House. Moreover, Trump remarked he would consider similar action against Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics due to perceived security concerns.

Jurisdictional Limits and Possible Pressure

Even though Trump holds no formal power to directly relocate either competition, he may exert influence the respective governing bodies in charge of each tournament to change venues.

Background of Comments

The remarks were made during a news conference with Argentina's leader Milei, who was visiting the executive mansion following the disclosure of a multibillion-dollar rescue package for the Argentine economy. Toward the close of the meeting, a media member questioned Trump about a current unauthorized gathering in Boston where law enforcement were assaulted and a cruiser was burned. The correspondent also asked if the situation could result in the removal of hosting duties for the expanded football competition.

“I would take them away,” the former president remarked regarding the World Cup fixtures, planned to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “Their mayor is poor … she’s extremist, and they are dominating parts of downtown. That is a significant assertion, isn't it?”

Urban Disturbances and Ideological Perceptions

Public disruptions, a online-fueled phenomenon where groups of people assemble on city streets after dark to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have become a repeated nuisance in metropolitan centers since the lockdown shutdowns. Latest similar events have turned violent in the state, including Boston. Yet, these events are usually not seen as tied to any particular ideological group.

“If a city is performing poorly, and I believe there’s unsafe conditions, I would call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and say let’s move it to an alternate venue,” the former president stated on Tuesday. “And he would do that. He might not prefer to do it, but he’d do it. Very easily, he would.”

Political Connections

Gianni Infantino has been open his efforts to be publicly aligned with the former president ahead of the 2026 event, planned to be staged in multiple US locations across the US along with two in Canada and three in the southern neighbor. The head has participated at various presidential events, arranged for Trump deliver the FIFA club award after the championship match, and has even postponed his FIFA's internal meeting to travel with Trump on a trip to the Middle East earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Despite this, Trump from threatening the relocation of soccer games from other US host cities. Recently, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis faced comparable comments, with Trump asserting both locations were “governed by far-left extremists who lack understanding what they are doing,” while challenging the security conditions of both areas and implying that events could be removed.

FIFA Response

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

“It is FIFA’s tournament, our responsibility, the organization determines these matters,” the vice-president declared. “Politely to national heads, the sport is more important than any individual and the game will endure their tenure and their policies. That is the strength of this sport, that it is more significant than one leader and more important than a nation.”

Olympics Threat

On Tuesday, Trump’s answer to a question about Boston included a comparable warning regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“If I perceived the city was not adequately ready, I would move it to another location if necessary,” he said. “For the Olympics I may have to get a different kind of approval, but we will take that action.”

The permission Trump refers to would need to come from the IOC. The head, she, was selected to her role in spring and has not yet hold a public appearance with him, though she indicated that she hopes for a sit-down with the US figure at a future time.

Further Comments

Trump also condemned Gavin Newsom’s management of recent California fires, saying that a comparable scenario could lead to the cancellation of the event.

“When the governor refuses to cooperate, we will have to be strict,” he commented.

His statement was equally unambiguous for Boston.

“Boston better address these issues,” Trump stated. “That’s all I can say.”