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Former President Trump has repeatedly stated he would pressure FIFA to remove upcoming World Cup matches from a designated city based on that city's governance, with Massachusetts becoming the latest such city to receive such threats from the US president. Furthermore, Trump suggested he would contemplate similar action against Southern California for the 2028 Olympics due to potential safety issues.

Jurisdictional Limits and Informal Leverage

While Trump does not have formal power to personally cancel either tournament, he may lobby the international organizations in charge of each tournament to change host cities.

Background of Comments

His remarks were made during a press event with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the White House following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar financial assistance for the Argentine nation. Toward the conclusion of the meeting, a journalist questioned Trump about a latest unauthorized gathering in downtown Boston where police officers were attacked and a police vehicle was ignited. The journalist also questioned if these incidents could lead to the removal of tournament responsibilities for the 48-team soccer tournament.

“We could take them away,” Trump remarked about the World Cup fixtures, set to be hosted at the Foxborough venue. “The city's leader is not good … she is radical left, and they’re occupying sections of downtown. That is a significant statement, isn't it?”

Street Takeovers and Ideological Perceptions

Street takeovers, a social media-driven occurrence where participants congregate on urban roads after dark to engage in dangerous driving, have been a ongoing issue in metropolitan centers since the lockdown restrictions. Latest such gatherings have turned violent in the region, specifically in the city. Nevertheless, these occurrences are generally not seen as linked to any particular ideological group.

“If a mayor is doing a bad job, and I feel there are dangerous circumstances, I will call the organization's president, who is outstanding, and say it should be shifted to an alternate venue,” Trump commented publicly. “He will do that. He may not enjoy to do it, but he would comply. Readily, he would.”

Organizational Alignment

FIFA President has been open his efforts to be visibly associated with Trump before the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to be hosted in multiple US locations across the US along with several in the northern neighbor and a few in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has been present at several Oval Office events, facilitated Trump hand over the Club World Cup cup after the championship match, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to travel with Trump on a trip to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Past Statements

Despite this, Trump from warning about the relocation of World Cup matches from other US host cities. In late September, the Washington city and San Francisco were parallel statements, with Trump stating both urban centers were “run by ideological activists who don’t know what they're managing,” while questioning the security conditions of both cities and suggesting that games could be relocated.

Official Rebuttal

The organization's deputy Montagliani dismissed Trump’s claims when he commented afterward at a conference in London.

“This is our competition, under our authority, we decide such choices,” Montagliani said. “Respectfully to national heads, the sport is bigger than political figures and soccer will outlast their administration and their policies. That’s the beauty of this sport, that it is more significant than one leader and beyond a nation.”

LA Games Warning

On Tuesday, Trump’s reply to a query about Boston extended to a parallel statement regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“When I thought LA was not going to be prepared properly, I would move it to an alternate venue as needed,” Trump stated. “On that one I’d probably have to get a different kind of approval, but we'd do that.”

Official consent Trump refers to would need to come via the Olympic governing body. Their head, she, was elected to her role in March and has so far not meet publicly with the former president, though she stated that she desires a meeting with Trump at a future time.

Additional Criticism

Trump also condemned Gavin Newsom’s management of recent blazes, stating that a similar situation could result in the relocation of the event.

“If Newsom is uncooperative, we will have to be strict,” Trump said.

His message was equally clear for Boston.

“The city must address these issues,” he remarked. “That’s all I will say.”