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Donald Trump has repeatedly stated he would influence FIFA to relocate 2026 World Cup events from a host city based on the local politics, with Massachusetts becoming the third such city to face such warnings from the American leader. Additionally, Trump indicated he would consider comparable measures against Los Angeles for the upcoming Olympic Games due to possible safety issues.

Official Power and Informal Leverage

Although Trump does not have direct legal authority to personally cancel either event, he is able to apply pressure the organizing committees managing each event to move venues.

Context of Remarks

His comments were made during a news conference with Javier Milei, who was visiting the White House following the disclosure of a multibillion-dollar financial assistance for the Argentine country. Near the close of the event, a journalist inquired Trump about a latest “street takeover” in downtown Boston where police officers were attacked and a cruiser was ignited. The reporter also questioned if the situation could lead to the revocation of organizing rights for the expanded World Cup.

“It's possible to take them away,” Trump said about the World Cup games, set to be staged at the Massachusetts arena. “Their mayor is not good … she is far-left, and activists are taking over sections of the city. That is a significant statement, isn't it?”

Public Gatherings and Public Safety Concerns

Street takeovers, a online-fueled occurrence where participants assemble on city streets late at night to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have become a ongoing nuisance in metropolitan centers since the coronavirus closures. Recent similar events have become aggressive in the region, specifically in the city. Yet, these occurrences are usually not considered linked to any particular ideological group.

“When a city is failing, and I feel there’s dangerous circumstances, I would call Gianni [Infantino], who is outstanding, and say it should be shifted to a different city,” he commented during the event. “And he would do that. He might not prefer doing it, but he'd agree. Readily, he’d do it.”

Political Connections

The organization's head has publicly acknowledged his attempts to be visibly associated with the US leader before next year’s tournament, set to be hosted in 11 cities across the United States along with a couple in Canada and three in Mexico. The FIFA president has been present at several Oval Office events, facilitated Trump present the FIFA club cup after the concluding game, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to join Trump on a journey to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

This has not stopped, Trump from suggesting the removal of soccer matches from different locations. On September 25, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis came under comparable statements, with Trump stating both cities were “run by ideological activists who lack understanding what they are doing,” while questioning the security conditions of both cities and claiming that games could be removed.

Official Rebuttal

The organization's deputy Montagliani rejected Trump’s claims when he commented days later at a gathering in the UK capital.

“It is FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes these matters,” he stated. “With all due respect to national heads, soccer is bigger than any individual and football will survive their tenure and their government. That’s the beauty of our game, that it is bigger than a single person and more important than any country.”

2028 Comments

During the event, Trump’s response to a inquiry about Boston extended to a comparable warning regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“When I thought LA was not sufficiently organized, I would relocate it to another location if necessary,” he remarked. “For the Olympics I might have to secure a varying consent, but we would proceed.”

Official consent Trump refers to would have to come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their president, she, was elected to her post in this year and has yet to appear together with Trump, although she stated that she would like a sit-down with Trump at some point.

Other Remarks

The former president also questioned the state's leader Newsom’s response of recent blazes, stating that a comparable scenario could lead to the cancellation of the event.

“When he refuses to cooperate, we will have to be strict,” the former president commented.

His statement was just as direct for Boston.

“Boston should improve their situation,” he remarked. “That’s all I can say.”