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Ex-president Trump has once again stated he would urge FIFA to relocate upcoming World Cup matches from a host city based on municipal governance, with Boston becoming the third targeted location to face such warnings from the White House. Moreover, Trump indicated he would consider parallel steps against Southern California for the upcoming Olympic Games due to potential security concerns.

Jurisdictional Limits and Possible Pressure

Even though Trump does not have official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either tournament, he can exert influence the organizing committees overseeing each event to shift venues.

Context of Remarks

These comments were made during a press event with Javier Milei, who was at the presidential residence following the disclosure of a $20 billion rescue package for the Argentine nation. Near the end of the meeting, a reporter inquired Trump about a latest unauthorized gathering in the city where police officers were attacked and a cruiser was ignited. The journalist also wondered if the situation could result in the revocation of tournament responsibilities for the 48-team football competition.

“We could take them away,” Trump said concerning the soccer games, planned to be hosted at the Foxborough venue. “The city's leader is not good … they're radical left, and they are taking over areas of the city. That’s a major claim, don't you think?”

Street Takeovers and Ideological Perceptions

Public disruptions, a social media-driven phenomenon where large crowds congregate on city streets during nighttime to perform stunts, have emerged as a frequent problem in US urban areas since the lockdown restrictions. Latest similar events have become aggressive in the state, specifically in Boston. Yet, these occurrences are usually not considered tied to any particular political ideology.

“When a city is performing poorly, and I perceive there’s dangerous circumstances, I would call the FIFA head, who is phenomenal, and tell him we should relocate it to a different city,” he stated during the event. “He'd do that. He might not prefer doing it, but he’d do it. Very easily, he would.”

Political Connections

Gianni Infantino has been open his strategies to be visibly associated with the US leader prior to the 2026 event, scheduled to be hosted in multiple US locations across the America along with a couple in the northern neighbor and three in the southern neighbor. The FIFA president has participated at several presidential events, had Trump hand over the Club World Cup award after the concluding game, and has even rescheduled his FIFA's internal meeting to join Trump on a visit to the Middle East this year.

Previous Threats

This has not stopped, Trump from suggesting the relocation of World Cup games from other US host cities. Recently, Seattle and San Francisco came under similar criticism, with Trump asserting both locations were “led by radical left lunatics who don’t know what they’re doing,” while criticizing the public safety of both cities and claiming that matches could be shifted.

Official Rebuttal

FIFA vice-president Montagliani dismissed Trump’s assertions when he reacted subsequently at a conference in England.

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, our responsibility, FIFA makes these matters,” Montagliani stated. “Politely to current world leaders, football is bigger than them and football will endure their administration and their government. That’s the strength of our game, that it is bigger than any individual and bigger than individual states.”

LA Games Warning

Similarly, Trump’s reply to a question about Boston extended to a comparable warning regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“In case I thought Los Angeles was not going to be sufficiently organized, I would shift it to another location if necessary,” he said. “On that one I may have to get a alternative approval, but we'd take that action.”

Any approval Trump refers to would have to come from the Olympic governing body. The leader, the newly elected president, was elected to her position in spring and has so far not appear together with him, though she stated that she desires a discussion with Trump at eventually.

Other Remarks

Trump also questioned California governor Newsom’s handling of recent blazes, remarking that a similar situation could lead to the relocation of the Olympics.

“When the governor is uncooperative, we’re gonna have to be very tough,” he commented.

His statement was equally direct for the Massachusetts city.

“They must clean up their act,” Trump stated. “That’s all my message.”