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Former President Trump has yet again stated he would influence FIFA to remove 2026 World Cup events from a venue based on municipal governance, with Boston emerging as the most recent targeted location to receive such statements from the White House. Additionally, Trump indicated he would evaluate similar action against LA for the 2028 Olympics due to possible public safety risks.

Jurisdictional Limits and Possible Pressure

Although Trump lacks official jurisdiction to personally cancel either event, he can exert influence the organizing committees in charge of each competition to change host cities.

Background of Comments

The remarks were made during a news conference with Javier Milei, who was present in the White House following the disclosure of a multibillion-dollar bailout for the South American nation. At the conclusion of the meeting, a media member asked Trump about a latest unauthorized gathering in Boston where law enforcement were assaulted and a cruiser was burned. The journalist also asked if the situation could cause the revocation of tournament responsibilities for the expanded soccer tournament.

“We could take them away,” the former president stated about the World Cup matches, set to be staged at the Massachusetts arena. “The city's leader is not good … they're extremist, and they’re taking over sections of downtown. That is a major assertion, right?”

Street Takeovers and Ideological Perceptions

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven trend where groups of people assemble on city streets during nighttime to perform stunts, have been a frequent issue in US urban areas since the lockdown shutdowns. Recent similar events have turned violent in Massachusetts, including downtown. Nevertheless, these occurrences are typically not regarded as linked to any distinct political ideology.

“When a city is performing poorly, and I feel there’s unsafe conditions, I'd call the organization's president, who is excellent, and say it should be shifted to an alternate venue,” Trump said during the event. “He'd do that. He might not prefer the action, but he'd agree. Very easily, he’d do it.”

Political Connections

The organization's head has been open his strategies to be visibly associated with the former president ahead of the upcoming World Cup, set to be staged in numerous American venues across the America along with several in the northern neighbor and multiple in Mexico. The FIFA president has participated at multiple presidential events, arranged for Trump present the FIFA club award after the concluding game, and has even delayed his the group's assembly to travel with Trump on a journey to the Middle East earlier in 2025.

Past Statements

This has not stopped, Trump from threatening the removal of World Cup matches from additional American venues. Recently, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis came under parallel statements, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “governed by ideological activists who lack understanding what they're managing,” while questioning the security conditions of both cities and claiming that matches could be relocated.

Official Rebuttal

The organization's deputy Montagliani rejected Trump’s claims when he responded days later at a event in the UK capital.

“This is the organization's event, our responsibility, we decide these matters,” the vice-president said. “With all due respect to sitting presidents, soccer is more important than them and soccer will outlast their administration and their policies. It's the essence of this sport, that it is more significant than a single person and more important than any country.”

2028 Comments

During the event, Trump’s response to a query about Boston included a similar threat regarding the LA Olympic event.

“When I thought Los Angeles was not going to be adequately ready, I would move it to an alternate venue if necessary,” he remarked. “Regarding that event I’d probably have to obtain a different kind of consent, but we'd take that action.”

Official consent Trump alluded to would must come from the Olympic governing body. The leader, she, was elected to her post in spring and has so far not meet publicly with the former president, although she indicated that she desires a sit-down with Trump at a future time.

Additional Criticism

He also questioned the state's leader Newsom’s response of the California fires, remarking that a comparable scenario could cause the cancellation of the Olympics.

“If the governor is uncooperative, we will have to be strict,” the former president commented.

The warning was just as clear for the Massachusetts city.

“They must clean up their act,” Trump stated. “That is I can say.”