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Donald Trump has repeatedly stated he would pressure FIFA to remove 2026 World Cup games from a host city based on the local politics, with Massachusetts now being the third urban area to face such threats from the US president. Furthermore, Trump indicated he would consider parallel steps against LA for the upcoming Olympic Games due to potential security concerns.

Legal Authority and Informal Leverage

While Trump holds no formal power to directly relocate either competition, he can lobby the organizing committees in charge of each tournament to move venues.

Context of Remarks

His statements were made during a press event with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the presidential residence following the disclosure of a $20 billion rescue package for the Latin American country. Near the conclusion of the gathering, a journalist questioned Trump about a recent “street takeover” in Boston where police officers were assaulted and a cruiser was set on fire. The reporter also questioned if the situation could lead to the removal of hosting duties for the expanded football competition.

“It's possible to take them away,” Trump said concerning the World Cup matches, scheduled to be held at Gillette Stadium. “She is ineffective … they're extremist, and activists are taking over parts of Boston. It's a major claim, right?”

Public Gatherings and Public Safety Concerns

Public disruptions, a digitally organized trend where groups of people congregate on public avenues during nighttime to engage in dangerous driving, have emerged as a frequent issue in American cities since the lockdown shutdowns. Current similar events have escalated into violence in Massachusetts, including downtown. However, these gatherings are usually not seen as associated with any specific political ideology.

“In cases where a mayor is failing, and I feel there are unsafe conditions, I would call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and suggest it should be shifted to an alternate venue,” the former president said on Tuesday. “And he would do that. He wouldn’t love to do it, but he’d do it. Readily, he would.”

Organizational Alignment

The organization's head has made no secret his attempts to be visibly associated with Trump prior to the upcoming World Cup, planned to be hosted in multiple US locations across the US along with two in Canada and multiple in Mexico. The head has been present at various White House gatherings, arranged for Trump deliver the club tournament award after the concluding game, and has even rescheduled his FIFA's internal meeting to travel with Trump on a trip to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

Nevertheless, Trump from threatening the removal of soccer events from other US host cities. Recently, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis came under similar comments, with Trump claiming both locations were “led by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they’re doing,” while questioning the security conditions of both locales and implying that matches could be shifted.

Organizational Statement

Victor Montagliani dismissed Trump’s claims when he responded subsequently at a event in England.

“This is the organization's event, our responsibility, we decide such choices,” the vice-president said. “Politely to sitting presidents, the sport is more important than them and the game will survive their regime and their leadership. That is the strength of our game, that it is bigger than any individual and bigger than individual states.”

2028 Comments

During the event, Trump’s reply to a query about the Massachusetts city veered into a comparable warning regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“If I perceived the city was not adequately ready, I will move it to another location if I had to,” he said. “On that one I may have to obtain a alternative permission, but we will take that action.”

The permission Trump alluded to would need to come through the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their president, Kirsty Coventry, was selected to her position in spring and has not yet meet publicly with Trump, though she said that she desires a sit-down with him at eventually.

Further Comments

Trump also criticized the state's leader Newsom’s response of this year’s LA wildfires, saying that a similar situation could lead to the removal of the Games.

“If Newsom is uncooperative, we will have to be firm,” the former president stated.

The warning was equally clear for the Massachusetts city.

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