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Ex-president Trump has repeatedly declared he would influence FIFA to remove 2026 World Cup events from a host city based on the local politics, with the Boston region becoming the latest such city to encounter such warnings from the American leader. Furthermore, Trump indicated he would evaluate similar action against Southern California for the upcoming Olympic Games due to perceived public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Informal Leverage

Although Trump lacks formal power to directly relocate either tournament, he is able to apply pressure the organizing committees managing each competition to move locations.

Setting for Statements

His comments were made during a media briefing with Argentinian president Milei, who was visiting the White House following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar financial assistance for the Latin American country. At the conclusion of the meeting, a reporter asked Trump about a latest unauthorized gathering in downtown Boston where authorities were targeted and a patrol car was burned. The correspondent also questioned if these incidents could lead to the removal of hosting duties for the 48-team soccer tournament.

“It's possible to take them away,” he said concerning the FIFA World Cup fixtures, set to be staged at Gillette Stadium. “The city's leader is poor … they're far-left, and they are dominating sections of Boston. That is a pretty big claim, right?”

Public Gatherings and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a online-fueled occurrence where groups of people congregate on city streets during nighttime to engage in dangerous driving, have become a frequent issue in US urban areas since the lockdown shutdowns. Latest incidents have escalated into violence in the region, including Boston. Nevertheless, these gatherings are usually not seen as associated with any particular partisan agenda.

“In cases where someone is doing a bad job, and I feel there are unsafe conditions, I will call the organization's president, who is outstanding, and tell him let’s move it to a different city,” the former president said during the event. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy to do it, but he would comply. Very easily, he'd comply.”

FIFA Relationship

FIFA President has made no secret his efforts to be visibly associated with the former president prior to the upcoming World Cup, set to be hosted in 11 cities across the US along with a couple in the northern neighbor and multiple in Mexico. The head has been present at various White House events, arranged for Trump deliver the Club World Cup award after the championship match, and has even delayed his the group's assembly to travel with Trump on a visit to the Arab region previously.

Previous Threats

Despite this, Trump from suggesting the removal of FIFA World Cup events from other US host cities. In late September, the Washington city and San Francisco came under comparable criticism, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “governed by radical left lunatics who lack understanding what they're managing,” while criticizing the public safety of both areas and claiming that events could be removed.

Official Rebuttal

The organization's deputy Montagliani rejected Trump’s assertions when he commented afterward at a gathering in London.

“This is our competition, our responsibility, we decide these matters,” the vice-president stated. “With all due respect to sitting presidents, the sport is bigger than any individual and football will endure their regime and their policies. It's the strength of our game, that it is transcends one leader and more important than a nation.”

2028 Comments

Similarly, Trump’s answer to a inquiry about Boston extended to a similar threat regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“When I perceived LA was failing to be adequately ready, I would move it to an alternate venue as needed,” he said. “Regarding that event I’d probably have to secure a varying consent, but we will take that action.”

Official consent Trump alluded to would need to come from the IOC. The leader, Kirsty Coventry, was elected to her post in spring and has yet to hold a public appearance with him, although she indicated that she would like a discussion with him at eventually.

Further Comments

The former president also condemned California governor Newsom’s response of this year’s LA wildfires, stating that a parallel incident could lead to the removal of the Olympics.

“When Newsom doesn’t play ball, we will have to be strict,” he said.

The warning was equally unambiguous for Boston.

“They must improve their situation,” he said. “It's my message.”