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Ex-president Trump has repeatedly stated he would urge FIFA to relocate upcoming World Cup matches from a host city based on that city's political climate, with Boston becoming the third urban area to encounter such warnings from the American leader. Moreover, Trump remarked he would consider similar action against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to possible security concerns.

Legal Authority and Informal Leverage

Although Trump holds no formal power to directly relocate either competition, he is able to apply pressure the respective governing bodies in charge of each event to shift locations.

Background of Comments

His statements were made during a press event with Argentina's leader Milei, who was present in the presidential residence following the announcement of a $20 billion financial assistance for the Latin American nation. At the close of the meeting, a reporter questioned Trump about a current “street takeover” in Boston where authorities were assaulted and a police vehicle was burned. The journalist also questioned if the situation could cause the removal of hosting duties for the 48-team World Cup.

“We could take them away,” the former president stated about the World Cup games, planned to be held at Gillette Stadium. “The city's leader is ineffective … they're radical left, and activists are taking over parts of the city. It's a pretty big assertion, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Political Context

Street takeovers, a digitally organized trend where groups of people congregate on public avenues late at night to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have become a ongoing problem in US urban areas since the Covid-19 pandemic closures. Latest similar events have become aggressive in the state, notably in downtown. Yet, these occurrences are generally not regarded as tied to any distinct political ideology.

“When someone is failing, and I perceive there’s security risks, I will call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and tell him it should be shifted to a different city,” he said on Tuesday. “And he would do that. He wouldn’t love doing it, but he'd agree. Readily, he would.”

Political Connections

The organization's head has made no secret his strategies to be publicly aligned with the US leader before the 2026 event, scheduled to be staged in numerous American venues across the US along with two in Canada and multiple in Mexico. The FIFA president has appeared at various White House gatherings, arranged for Trump present the FIFA club cup after that tournament’s final, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to accompany Trump on a journey to the Gulf states this year.

Past Statements

This has not stopped, Trump from suggesting the relocation of FIFA World Cup matches from other US host cities. Recently, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis faced parallel statements, with Trump claiming both locations were “run by far-left extremists who lack understanding what they’re doing,” while challenging the safety level of both cities and claiming that events could be relocated.

Official Rebuttal

FIFA vice-president Montagliani dismissed Trump’s statements when he commented afterward at a gathering in London.

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, we decide these matters,” the vice-president said. “With all due respect to sitting presidents, soccer is bigger than any individual and the game will outlast their administration and their leadership. It's the strength of this sport, that it is bigger than a single person and bigger than any country.”

2028 Comments

Similarly, Trump’s answer to a question about Boston extended to a comparable warning regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“In case I believed Los Angeles was not sufficiently organized, I will shift it to an alternate venue if I had to,” Trump stated. “Regarding that event I’d probably have to obtain a alternative approval, but we will take that action.”

The permission Trump mentioned would must come through the Olympic governing body. Their head, the newly elected president, was chosen to her role in this year and has so far not hold a public appearance with him, but she stated that she would like a discussion with him at a future time.

Additional Criticism

He also criticized the state's leader Newsom’s response of this year’s LA wildfires, remarking that a similar situation could cause the removal of the event.

“If Newsom is uncooperative, we are going to have to be strict,” the former president said.

His statement was similarly clear for Boston.

“They better address these issues,” he said. “That’s all I can say.”