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Ex-president Trump has once again announced he would urge FIFA to remove 2026 World Cup events from a host city based on the local politics, with the Boston region emerging as the latest urban area to encounter such threats from the US president. Furthermore, Trump remarked he would consider similar action against Southern California for the 2028 Olympics due to perceived safety issues.

Official Power and Potential Influence

While Trump holds no official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either tournament, he is able to apply pressure the international organizations managing each event to move venues.

Background of Comments

His statements were made during a news conference with Javier Milei, who was visiting the presidential residence following the disclosure of a massive financial assistance for the South American nation. Toward the close of the event, a media member asked Trump about a recent “street takeover” in the city where authorities were targeted and a police vehicle was burned. The correspondent also asked if the situation could result in the loss of organizing rights for the expanded soccer tournament.

“We could take them away,” Trump said about the soccer fixtures, planned to be hosted at the Foxborough venue. “Their mayor is poor … they're extremist, and activists are dominating parts of the city. That is a significant statement, isn't it?”

Street Takeovers and Ideological Perceptions

Street takeovers, a social media-driven occurrence where large crowds gather on city streets after dark to engage in dangerous driving, have become a frequent problem in metropolitan centers since the Covid-19 pandemic closures. Recent incidents have become aggressive in the region, specifically in the city. However, these gatherings are typically not seen as tied to any specific political ideology.

“If a mayor is doing a bad job, and I feel exist unsafe conditions, I'd call Gianni [Infantino], who is excellent, and say let’s move it to an alternate venue,” the former president commented during the event. “He will do that. He might not prefer the action, but he’d do it. Without hesitation, he would.”

Political Connections

The organization's head has been open his attempts to be visibly associated with the US leader ahead of the upcoming World Cup, planned to be staged in numerous American venues across the America along with several in the northern neighbor and a few in Mexico. The FIFA president has participated at several Oval Office functions, had Trump present the Club World Cup trophy after that tournament’s final, and has even delayed his the group's assembly to join Trump on a journey to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Despite this, Trump from suggesting the relocation of World Cup matches from additional American venues. In late September, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis were parallel statements, with Trump asserting both cities were “led by far-left extremists who don’t know what they’re doing,” while criticizing the public safety of both areas and implying that events could be removed.

Official Rebuttal

Victor Montagliani dismissed Trump’s statements when he responded days later at a conference in England.

“This is the organization's event, under our authority, we decide such choices,” Montagliani said. “With all due respect to national heads, soccer is bigger than political figures and the game will endure their regime and their policies. That’s the beauty of this sport, that it is transcends any individual and bigger than a nation.”

2028 Comments

Similarly, Trump’s answer to a inquiry about the Massachusetts city included a comparable warning regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“In case I perceived Los Angeles was failing to be adequately ready, I would move it to a different city if necessary,” he said. “On that one I might have to obtain a alternative approval, but we will do that.”

Any approval Trump mentioned would must come through the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The leader, Kirsty Coventry, was elected to her post in this year and has yet to appear together with the former president, although she said that she hopes for a sit-down with the US figure at a future time.

Additional Criticism

Trump also questioned the state's leader Newsom’s response of the blazes, remarking that a similar situation could result in the cancellation of the Games.

“If Newsom refuses to cooperate, we’re gonna have to be very tough,” he stated.

His statement was just as unambiguous for Boston.

“The city must clean up their act,” he remarked. “It's I will say.”