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Former President Trump has yet again declared he would pressure FIFA to remove 2026 World Cup events from a venue based on that city's political climate, with the Boston region emerging as the third urban area to receive such warnings from the American leader. Moreover, Trump remarked he would evaluate parallel steps against LA for the 2028 Olympics due to potential safety issues.

Jurisdictional Limits and Potential Influence

Although Trump lacks direct legal authority to directly relocate either competition, he is able to exert influence the organizing committees overseeing each competition to shift host cities.

Background of Comments

The remarks were made during a press event with Argentina's leader Milei, who was visiting the presidential residence following the disclosure of a massive rescue package for the Argentine economy. Toward the conclusion of the meeting, a media member questioned Trump about a latest public disturbance in the city where authorities were attacked and a police vehicle was ignited. The reporter also questioned if these incidents could result in the removal of organizing rights for the 48-team football competition.

“We could take them away,” the former president remarked concerning the soccer matches, planned to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “Their mayor is not good … they're extremist, and they’re taking over sections of Boston. That’s a significant assertion, don't you think?”

Street Takeovers and Ideological Perceptions

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven phenomenon where groups of people gather on public avenues during nighttime to engage in dangerous driving, have been a ongoing problem in US urban areas since the coronavirus closures. Current similar events have turned violent in the region, notably in Boston. Yet, these occurrences are typically not considered tied to any specific ideological group.

“If a city is doing a bad job, and I perceive there are security risks, I will call the FIFA head, who is outstanding, and tell him it should be shifted to an alternate venue,” he stated publicly. “He will do that. He might not prefer to do it, but he'd agree. Readily, he’d do it.”

FIFA Relationship

FIFA President has publicly acknowledged his efforts to be closely connected with Trump prior to the 2026 event, set to be hosted in numerous American venues across the United States along with a couple in the northern neighbor and three in the southern neighbor. The head has been present at various White House events, had Trump hand over the FIFA club trophy after the championship match, and has even postponed his own organization’s congress to travel with Trump on a trip to the Middle East earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

This has not stopped, Trump from suggesting the removal of FIFA World Cup games from other US host cities. Recently, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis faced comparable comments, with Trump stating both urban centers were “run by ideological activists who don’t know what they’re doing,” while challenging the public safety of both locales and implying that events could be relocated.

FIFA Response

FIFA vice-president Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s assertions when he commented afterward at a conference in London.

“This is the organization's event, FIFA’s jurisdiction, the organization determines those decisions,” he stated. “Politely to current world leaders, the sport is transcends any individual and football will outlast their tenure and their government. That is the beauty of our game, that it is more significant than one leader and beyond a nation.”

Olympics Threat

Similarly, Trump’s response to a inquiry about the Massachusetts city extended to a similar threat regarding the LA Olympic event.

“In case I perceived LA was not sufficiently organized, I will shift it to an alternate venue if necessary,” he said. “On that one I might have to obtain a varying consent, but we would do that.”

Any approval Trump refers to would have to come via the Olympic governing body. Their leader, she, was elected to her role in March and has so far not meet publicly with the former president, though she indicated that she desires a sit-down with the US figure at eventually.

Additional Criticism

The former president also condemned California governor Newsom’s response of recent LA wildfires, stating that a parallel incident could cause the relocation of the Games.

“When he is uncooperative, we are going to have to be very tough,” the former president stated.

His statement was just as clear for Boston.

“Boston better clean up their act,” he remarked. “That’s all my message.”