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Ex-president Trump has once again announced he would pressure FIFA to pull upcoming World Cup games from a designated city based on municipal political climate, with Boston emerging as the third urban area to encounter such warnings from the American leader. Moreover, Trump suggested he would contemplate comparable measures against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to potential public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Informal Leverage

Even though Trump holds no official jurisdiction to personally cancel either event, he may exert influence the organizing committees managing each competition to shift host cities.

Context of Remarks

His comments were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was present in the executive mansion following the announcement of a massive bailout for the Latin American economy. At the end of the gathering, a media member questioned Trump about a recent “street takeover” in downtown Boston where authorities were assaulted and a police vehicle was ignited. The journalist also wondered if these incidents could cause the removal of hosting duties for the 48-team football competition.

“We could take them away,” he remarked regarding the soccer matches, set to be staged at Gillette Stadium. “Their mayor is poor … she’s extremist, and they’re dominating parts of downtown. That is a major assertion, isn't it?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Street takeovers, a digitally organized occurrence where groups of people gather on public avenues late at night to engage in dangerous driving, have emerged as a frequent problem in metropolitan centers since the coronavirus restrictions. Recent incidents have turned violent in Massachusetts, notably in the city. Yet, these events are typically not seen as tied to any distinct partisan agenda.

“If a mayor is failing, and I feel exist security risks, I will call the FIFA head, who is excellent, and say let’s move it to another location,” Trump commented on Tuesday. “He'd do that. He wouldn’t love doing it, but he would comply. Without hesitation, he'd comply.”

Organizational Alignment

Gianni Infantino has been open his attempts to be publicly aligned with the former president before the 2026 event, scheduled to be organized in 11 cities across the US along with a couple in Canada and multiple in Mexico. The head has been present at various presidential events, facilitated Trump present the Club World Cup cup after the championship match, and has even delayed his FIFA's internal meeting to travel with Trump on a journey to the Middle East earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

Nevertheless, Trump from suggesting the relocation of World Cup events from additional American venues. Recently, the Washington city and San Francisco were similar comments, with Trump claiming both urban centers were “run by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they’re doing,” while criticizing the public safety of both locales and suggesting that games could be removed.

FIFA Response

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

“It is our competition, our responsibility, we decide those decisions,” the vice-president declared. “With all due respect to sitting presidents, soccer is transcends any individual and the game will outlast their tenure and their leadership. It's the beauty of football, that it is more significant than a single person and bigger than individual states.”

LA Games Warning

Similarly, Trump’s answer to a question about the Massachusetts city extended to a comparable warning regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“When I thought the city was not going to be adequately ready, I would shift it to another location if I had to,” Trump stated. “For the Olympics I’d probably have to obtain a alternative permission, but we'd take that action.”

Any approval Trump refers to would must come from the IOC. The head, she, was selected to her role in spring and has not yet appear together with Trump, though she said that she hopes for a meeting with him at some point.

Further Comments

The former president also questioned California governor Newsom’s management of recent blazes, stating that a comparable scenario could cause the cancellation of the Games.

“If Newsom refuses to cooperate, we’re gonna have to be very tough,” the former president said.

His statement was just as direct for Boston.

“They better clean up their act,” he said. “That is I can say.”