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Ex-president Trump has repeatedly stated he would influence FIFA to relocate 2026 World Cup games from a host city based on the local politics, with Massachusetts emerging as the most recent urban area to receive such threats from the American leader. Furthermore, Trump remarked he would evaluate similar action against Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics due to perceived public safety risks.

Official Power and Potential Influence

While Trump does not have direct legal authority to personally cancel either tournament, he is able to exert influence the international organizations managing each event to change locations.

Setting for Statements

These comments were made during a media briefing with Argentinian president Milei, who was visiting the White House following the disclosure of a $20 billion bailout for the South American country. Near the conclusion of the event, a media member questioned Trump about a latest “street takeover” in the city where authorities were assaulted and a patrol car was set on fire. The journalist also wondered if these incidents could cause the removal of hosting duties for the 48-team football competition.

“It's possible to take them away,” Trump remarked regarding the soccer games, scheduled to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “The city's leader is poor … she’s far-left, and they’re taking over areas of Boston. That’s a pretty big assertion, don't you think?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Public disruptions, a online-fueled occurrence where participants congregate on urban roads during nighttime to engage in dangerous driving, have become a repeated problem in US urban areas since the lockdown restrictions. Latest incidents have turned violent in the region, notably in the city. However, these occurrences are generally not regarded as linked to any particular ideological group.

“In cases where a city is performing poorly, and I perceive there are dangerous circumstances, I would call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and say it should be shifted to a different city,” he commented during the event. “He'd do that. He might not prefer doing it, but he would comply. Without hesitation, he'd comply.”

Political Connections

Gianni Infantino has been open his efforts to be closely connected with the US leader ahead of the 2026 event, scheduled to be hosted in 11 cities across the America along with a couple in the northern neighbor and three in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has appeared at multiple White House functions, had Trump present the Club World Cup award after the concluding game, and has even rescheduled his own organization’s congress to join Trump on a journey to the Middle East previously.

Previous Threats

Despite this, Trump from suggesting the cancellation of FIFA World Cup games from other US host cities. On September 25, Seattle and San Francisco faced similar criticism, with Trump stating both urban centers were “led by far-left extremists who lack understanding what they’re doing,” while challenging the public safety of both areas and implying that matches could be removed.

FIFA Response

FIFA vice-president Montagliani dismissed Trump’s statements when he responded subsequently at a conference in London.

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, our responsibility, we decide such choices,” Montagliani said. “With all due respect to national heads, football is more important than any individual and the game will survive their administration and their government. That is the essence of this sport, that it is transcends a single person and more important than individual states.”

LA Games Warning

On Tuesday, Trump’s reply to a question about Boston extended to a parallel statement regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“In case I thought the city was not going to be sufficiently organized, I'd move it to an alternate venue as needed,” he remarked. “On that one I’d probably have to obtain a different kind of consent, but we would do that.”

Any approval Trump refers to would have to come through the Olympic governing body. The head, the newly elected president, was elected to her post in this year and has so far not appear together with Trump, but she said that she hopes for a meeting with Trump at a future time.

Additional Criticism

He also criticized Gavin Newsom’s management of the California fires, stating that a similar situation could result in the cancellation of the event.

“When Newsom refuses to cooperate, we will have to be firm,” the former president said.

The warning was equally direct for the Massachusetts city.

“The city must improve their situation,” he remarked. “That’s all I will say.”