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Former President Trump has repeatedly stated he would influence FIFA to relocate upcoming World Cup matches from a host city based on that city's governance, with Boston emerging as the latest urban area to receive such threats from the White House. Furthermore, Trump indicated he would consider similar action against Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics due to possible public safety risks.

Jurisdictional Limits and Potential Influence

Even though Trump holds no official jurisdiction to directly relocate either competition, he is able to exert influence the organizing committees overseeing each event to shift host cities.

Setting for Statements

The statements were made during a press event with Argentinian president Milei, who was visiting the executive mansion following the announcement of a multibillion-dollar bailout for the Latin American country. Near the end of the gathering, a media member asked Trump about a latest “street takeover” in the city where law enforcement were assaulted and a police vehicle was burned. The reporter also wondered if the situation could cause the revocation of tournament responsibilities for the expanded soccer tournament.

“We could take them away,” Trump stated about the soccer matches, scheduled to be held at Gillette Stadium. “The city's leader is ineffective … she’s radical left, and they are taking over parts of the city. That’s a pretty big statement, right?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Public disruptions, a digitally organized occurrence where large crowds congregate on public avenues after dark to engage in dangerous driving, have emerged as a repeated nuisance in US urban areas since the Covid-19 pandemic closures. Current incidents have become aggressive in Massachusetts, specifically in downtown. Nevertheless, these occurrences are generally not considered linked to any distinct partisan agenda.

“If someone is failing, and I perceive exist security risks, I will call the FIFA head, who is excellent, and say let’s move it to another location,” Trump stated on Tuesday. “He will do that. He might not prefer the action, but he'd agree. Very easily, he’d do it.”

Organizational Alignment

Gianni Infantino has made no secret his strategies to be closely connected with the US leader before the 2026 event, planned to be staged in numerous American venues across the US along with several in Canada and a few in the southern neighbor. The head has been present at several White House gatherings, arranged for Trump hand over the FIFA club cup after the championship match, and has even rescheduled his FIFA's internal meeting to travel with Trump on a journey to the Gulf states previously.

Previous Threats

Nevertheless, Trump from threatening the cancellation of soccer games from other US host cities. On September 25, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis came under comparable comments, with Trump asserting both cities were “run by ideological activists who don’t know what they’re doing,” while questioning the public safety of both locales and implying that games could be relocated.

Organizational Statement

FIFA vice-president Montagliani rejected Trump’s assertions when he responded days later at a gathering in London.

“This is our competition, our responsibility, we decide these matters,” the vice-president declared. “With all due respect to current world leaders, football is more important than them and the game will outlast their administration and their government. That’s the essence of football, that it is more significant than one leader and more important than a nation.”

Olympics Threat

During the event, Trump’s reply to a question about Boston extended to a similar threat regarding the LA Olympic event.

“When I thought Los Angeles was not going to be adequately ready, I will shift it to an alternate venue if necessary,” Trump stated. “For the Olympics I might have to obtain a varying permission, but we'd proceed.”

Any approval Trump refers to would have to come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The leader, the newly elected president, was selected to her post in this year and has not yet appear together with Trump, although she stated that she hopes for a meeting with him at eventually.

Additional Criticism

The former president also questioned Gavin Newsom’s response of the LA wildfires, stating that a parallel incident could cause the removal of the Games.

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

His message was equally clear for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston should address these issues,” Trump stated. “That is I will say.”