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Former President Trump has repeatedly stated he would influence FIFA to relocate 2026 World Cup matches from a designated city based on the local political climate, with the Boston region now being the third urban area to face such threats from the US president. Moreover, Trump suggested he would consider comparable measures against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to potential safety issues.

Official Power and Informal Leverage

Although Trump does not have formal power to personally cancel either tournament, he is able to exert influence the international organizations managing each tournament to move host cities.

Context of Remarks

The remarks were made during a press event with Argentinian president Milei, who was present in the White House following the revelation of a massive rescue package for the Argentine economy. At the close of the gathering, a reporter inquired Trump about a current public disturbance in Boston where authorities were attacked and a police vehicle was burned. The correspondent also wondered if such events could cause the removal of tournament responsibilities for the expanded World Cup.

“We could take them away,” the former president stated concerning the FIFA World Cup matches, scheduled to be staged at the Foxborough venue. “Their mayor is ineffective … they're radical left, and activists are occupying sections of Boston. That’s a significant statement, don't you think?”

Urban Disturbances and Political Context

Public disruptions, a social media-driven occurrence where large crowds assemble on public avenues late at night to perform stunts, have become a repeated nuisance in American cities since the coronavirus restrictions. Latest incidents have become aggressive in the state, notably in Boston. Yet, these events are usually not regarded as linked to any specific ideological group.

“If a city is performing poorly, and I feel exist security risks, I will call the organization's president, who is phenomenal, and suggest let’s move it to another location,” Trump commented publicly. “He will do that. He might not prefer the action, but he would comply. Very easily, he'd comply.”

FIFA Relationship

Gianni Infantino has made no secret his efforts to be publicly aligned with the US leader prior to next year’s tournament, scheduled to be organized in 11 cities across the America along with a couple in the northern neighbor and multiple in the southern neighbor. The head has been present at several White House gatherings, facilitated Trump deliver the club tournament trophy after the championship match, and has even rescheduled his own organization’s congress to accompany Trump on a visit to the Arab region this year.

Earlier Warnings

This has not stopped, Trump from threatening the relocation of FIFA World Cup events from additional American venues. In late September, the Washington city and San Francisco came under comparable statements, with Trump claiming both locations were “governed by ideological activists who are clueless what they're managing,” while criticizing the safety level of both cities and suggesting that events could be shifted.

FIFA Response

The organization's deputy Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he responded days later at a gathering in England.

“This is FIFA’s tournament, under our authority, we decide these matters,” he said. “Respectfully to national heads, football is bigger than political figures and football will survive their administration and their leadership. That’s the essence of football, that it is transcends a single person and bigger than individual states.”

LA Games Warning

On Tuesday, Trump’s response to a question about the Massachusetts city included a similar threat regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“If I perceived the city was not adequately ready, I would shift it to another location if necessary,” he said. “Regarding that event I might have to obtain a alternative consent, but we would do that.”

The permission Trump alluded to would need to come via the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their president, the newly elected president, was elected to her role in this year and has yet to meet publicly with him, although she indicated that she hopes for a meeting with him at some point.

Other Remarks

The former president also questioned California governor Newsom’s handling of recent California fires, saying that a comparable scenario could cause the removal of the Games.

“When he refuses to cooperate, we’re gonna have to be firm,” the former president stated.

The warning was just as direct for Boston.

“The city must clean up their act,” he said. “That’s all I can say.”