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Ex-president Trump has yet again announced he would pressure FIFA to remove upcoming World Cup events from a venue based on municipal governance, with Boston emerging as the most recent targeted location to encounter such statements from the US president. Furthermore, Trump indicated he would contemplate parallel steps against LA for the 2028 Summer Games due to potential safety issues.

Legal Authority and Possible Pressure

Even though Trump does not have formal power to personally cancel either competition, he may exert influence the respective governing bodies overseeing each tournament to move locations.

Setting for Statements

His statements were made during a press event with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the White House following the revelation of a $20 billion bailout for the Argentine economy. Near the end of the gathering, a media member asked Trump about a latest unauthorized gathering in downtown Boston where law enforcement were targeted and a cruiser was set on fire. The reporter also asked if the situation could lead to the removal of organizing rights for the larger football competition.

“It's possible to take them away,” the former president remarked concerning the FIFA World Cup matches, scheduled to be staged at Gillette Stadium. “She is ineffective … she’s extremist, and they’re taking over sections of the city. That’s a major claim, right?”

Street Takeovers and Public Safety Concerns

Street takeovers, a social media-driven trend where large crowds gather on urban roads after dark to perform stunts, have been a frequent issue in metropolitan centers since the coronavirus closures. Recent such gatherings have escalated into violence in the state, notably in the city. Yet, these gatherings are usually not considered tied to any distinct ideological group.

“If someone is failing, and I believe exist unsafe conditions, I would call Gianni [Infantino], who is excellent, and suggest let’s move it to a different city,” Trump commented publicly. “He'd do that. He wouldn’t love the action, but he’d do it. Without hesitation, he’d do it.”

FIFA Relationship

FIFA President has made no secret his strategies to be closely connected with the US leader before the 2026 event, set to be hosted in numerous American venues across the United States along with several in Canada and a few in Mexico. The organization's leader has appeared at multiple White House gatherings, had Trump deliver the FIFA club trophy after the concluding game, and has even rescheduled his the group's assembly to travel with Trump on a trip to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

This has not stopped, Trump from suggesting the cancellation of FIFA World Cup matches from other US host cities. Recently, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis faced similar comments, with Trump claiming both urban centers were “led by ideological activists who lack understanding what they are doing,” while questioning the security conditions of both areas and suggesting that games could be shifted.

FIFA Response

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

“This is the organization's event, our responsibility, the organization determines these matters,” Montagliani declared. “Politely to current world leaders, soccer is more important than political figures and the game will survive their tenure and their government. It's the beauty of this sport, that it is bigger than any individual and beyond individual states.”

LA Games Warning

During the event, Trump’s answer to a query about Boston veered into a similar threat regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“If I believed Los Angeles was failing to be sufficiently organized, I'd relocate it to another location as needed,” he said. “Regarding that event I may have to get a varying consent, but we'd proceed.”

Any approval Trump refers to would have to come through the Olympic governing body. The president, the newly elected president, was selected to her role in March and has yet to appear together with Trump, but she stated that she hopes for a meeting with the US figure at some point.

Other Remarks

He also questioned the state's leader Newsom’s handling of the California fires, stating that a similar situation could result in the relocation of the event.

“If Newsom refuses to cooperate, we are going to have to be very tough,” Trump said.

The warning was similarly clear for the Massachusetts city.

“The city should address these issues,” Trump stated. “It's I can say.”