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Donald Trump has repeatedly declared he would urge FIFA to relocate global soccer tournament matches from a designated city based on the local political climate, with Boston now being the most recent urban area to encounter such statements from the US president. Additionally, Trump remarked he would evaluate comparable measures against Southern California for the 2028 Olympics due to potential security concerns.

Jurisdictional Limits and Possible Pressure

While Trump does not have formal power to personally cancel either tournament, he is able to apply pressure the respective governing bodies in charge of each competition to move host cities.

Background of Comments

These comments were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was at the executive mansion following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar rescue package for the South American country. Toward the end of the meeting, a journalist asked Trump about a recent “street takeover” in downtown Boston where authorities were assaulted and a patrol car was burned. The journalist also wondered if the situation could result in the loss of tournament responsibilities for the larger World Cup.

“It's possible to take them away,” he stated regarding the FIFA World Cup fixtures, set to be held at the Foxborough venue. “The city's leader is not good … they're far-left, and they’re taking over parts of downtown. It's a significant statement, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Public Safety Concerns

Public disruptions, a online-fueled trend where participants assemble on urban roads during nighttime to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have emerged as a repeated nuisance in US urban areas since the Covid-19 pandemic closures. Latest similar events have become aggressive in the state, including the city. However, these events are generally not regarded as associated with any specific political ideology.

“When a city is failing, and I feel there’s unsafe conditions, I will call the organization's president, who is phenomenal, and tell him we should relocate it to an alternate venue,” the former president commented during the event. “He will do that. He may not enjoy to do it, but he would comply. Without hesitation, he'd comply.”

FIFA Relationship

FIFA President has made no secret his efforts to be visibly associated with Trump prior to the 2026 event, scheduled to be organized in numerous American venues across the US along with several in the northern neighbor and a few in the southern neighbor. The head has been present at multiple White House gatherings, facilitated Trump present the Club World Cup cup after that tournament’s final, and has even rescheduled his FIFA's internal meeting to travel with Trump on a visit to the Arab region this year.

Previous Threats

Nevertheless, Trump from threatening the removal of World Cup matches from other US host cities. On September 25, the Washington city and San Francisco faced comparable comments, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “governed by radical left lunatics who lack understanding what they’re doing,” while questioning the security conditions of both cities and implying that events could be relocated.

Official Rebuttal

The organization's deputy Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he reacted afterward at a event in London.

“This is FIFA’s tournament, our responsibility, we decide those decisions,” he stated. “Politely to national heads, soccer is transcends any individual and soccer will endure their regime and their leadership. It's the essence of football, that it is bigger than a single person and more important than any country.”

Olympics Threat

Similarly, Trump’s response to a inquiry about the Massachusetts city extended to a similar threat regarding the LA Olympic event.

“In case I believed LA was failing to be sufficiently organized, I'd move it to a different city if necessary,” he said. “Regarding that event I might have to secure a different kind of consent, but we will proceed.”

Any approval Trump mentioned would need to come via the IOC. Their head, she, was elected to her role in spring and has so far not meet publicly with him, but she said that she would like a meeting with Trump at some point.

Further Comments

The former president also questioned California governor Newsom’s handling of the California fires, remarking that a parallel incident could lead to the cancellation of the event.

“In case he refuses to cooperate, we are going to have to be strict,” the former president stated.

His statement was similarly unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“They should address these issues,” Trump stated. “That is my message.”