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Ex-president Trump has yet again declared he would pressure FIFA to relocate upcoming World Cup games from a designated city based on that city's political climate, with the Boston region becoming the latest targeted location to face such statements from the US president. Moreover, Trump remarked he would evaluate parallel steps against Southern California for the upcoming Olympic Games due to perceived safety issues.

Legal Authority and Possible Pressure

Even though Trump does not have direct legal authority to directly relocate either competition, he is able to exert influence the organizing committees in charge of each tournament to shift host cities.

Context of Remarks

The comments were made during a press event with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the White House following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar bailout for the Argentine economy. Toward the close of the gathering, a journalist questioned Trump about a current “street takeover” in downtown Boston where police officers were assaulted and a police vehicle was ignited. The journalist also wondered if the situation could cause the removal of hosting duties for the larger soccer tournament.

“We could take them away,” Trump said about the World Cup fixtures, set to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “The city's leader is not good … she’s radical left, and they’re dominating sections of downtown. That is a major statement, don't you think?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven occurrence where participants assemble on city streets after dark to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have emerged as a frequent problem in American cities since the lockdown shutdowns. Recent incidents have turned violent in the state, specifically in the city. Yet, these occurrences are typically not considered associated with any distinct partisan agenda.

“When a city is performing poorly, and I believe there’s security risks, I will call the FIFA head, who is outstanding, and say let’s move it to an alternate venue,” Trump stated on Tuesday. “And he would do that. He might not prefer the action, but he’d do it. Readily, he'd comply.”

Political Connections

The organization's head has been open his attempts to be closely connected with the US leader prior to the 2026 event, planned to be organized in multiple US locations across the United States along with a couple in the northern neighbor and a few in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has participated at various White House events, arranged for Trump present the FIFA club cup after the championship match, and has even rescheduled his the group's assembly to travel with Trump on a trip to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Despite this, Trump from threatening the relocation of World Cup games from other US host cities. In late September, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis were similar comments, with Trump stating both cities were “run by ideological activists who are clueless what they're managing,” while challenging the security conditions of both areas and suggesting that games could be relocated.

FIFA Response

FIFA vice-president Montagliani dismissed Trump’s statements when he responded days later at a gathering in England.

“It’s our competition, FIFA’s jurisdiction, we decide those decisions,” he stated. “Respectfully to current world leaders, the sport is more important than any individual and the game will outlast their regime and their policies. That’s the beauty of this sport, that it is more significant than one leader and bigger than a nation.”

LA Games Warning

During the event, Trump’s reply to a inquiry about the Massachusetts city veered into a similar threat regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“If I thought Los Angeles was failing to be sufficiently organized, I would move it to an alternate venue if I had to,” Trump stated. “Regarding that event I might have to obtain a alternative permission, but we will proceed.”

Any approval Trump refers to would must come via the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The president, she, was chosen to her role in spring and has so far not meet publicly with the former president, but she indicated that she would like a meeting with Trump at a future time.

Additional Criticism

Trump also questioned Gavin Newsom’s management of recent blazes, remarking that a similar situation could cause the relocation of the event.

“If he doesn’t play ball, we’re gonna have to be very tough,” the former president stated.

The warning was similarly clear for the Massachusetts city.

“They must improve their situation,” Trump stated. “That’s all I can say.”