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Ex-president Trump has repeatedly declared he would urge FIFA to pull upcoming World Cup matches from a designated city based on that city's political climate, with Massachusetts now being the third urban area to encounter such warnings from the American leader. Additionally, Trump indicated he would evaluate comparable measures against LA for the 2028 Olympics due to possible security concerns.

Official Power and Possible Pressure

Although Trump does not have direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either event, he may apply pressure the organizing committees managing each tournament to shift host cities.

Setting for Statements

These remarks were made during a media briefing with Argentinian president Milei, who was visiting the executive mansion following the announcement of a multibillion-dollar financial assistance for the South American country. Near the end of the meeting, a journalist asked Trump about a recent public disturbance in the city where police officers were assaulted and a police vehicle was set on fire. The reporter also asked if the situation could result in the loss of hosting duties for the 48-team football competition.

“We could take them away,” Trump remarked about the soccer matches, planned to be held at the Foxborough venue. “The city's leader is ineffective … they're far-left, and they are occupying sections of downtown. It's a pretty big assertion, isn't it?”

Street Takeovers and Public Safety Concerns

Public disruptions, a digitally organized phenomenon where groups of people congregate on city streets after dark to engage in dangerous driving, have been a frequent problem in American cities since the Covid-19 pandemic closures. Latest similar events have become aggressive in the region, specifically in Boston. However, these occurrences are typically not considered associated with any specific ideological group.

“When someone is doing a bad job, and I perceive there are dangerous circumstances, I would call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and tell him we should relocate it to a different city,” the former president commented during the event. “And he would do that. He may not enjoy doing it, but he would comply. Readily, he would.”

FIFA Relationship

FIFA President has publicly acknowledged his efforts to be visibly associated with Trump prior to next year’s tournament, set to be staged in multiple US locations across the United States along with a couple in Canada and a few in Mexico. The FIFA president has appeared at multiple presidential events, facilitated Trump deliver the Club World Cup trophy after the championship match, and has even postponed his own organization’s congress to join Trump on a journey to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Nevertheless, Trump from threatening the relocation of FIFA World Cup matches from additional American venues. Recently, Seattle and San Francisco were similar statements, with Trump claiming both locations were “governed by ideological activists who are clueless what they are doing,” while questioning the public safety of both cities and suggesting that events could be relocated.

Organizational Statement

Victor Montagliani rejected Trump’s assertions when he reacted afterward at a event in the UK capital.

“It is our competition, under our authority, the organization determines those decisions,” the vice-president declared. “Respectfully to national heads, the sport is bigger than political figures and soccer will outlast their regime and their leadership. That’s the beauty of our game, that it is transcends any individual and bigger than any country.”

2028 Comments

Similarly, Trump’s reply to a query about the Massachusetts city included a similar threat regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“When I believed LA was not going to be adequately ready, I would relocate it to another location if necessary,” he said. “For the Olympics I may have to obtain a different kind of consent, but we would do that.”

Any approval Trump refers to would have to come from the IOC. The head, the newly elected president, was chosen to her position in this year and has yet to hold a public appearance with the former president, though she stated that she hopes for a meeting with Trump at some point.

Other Remarks

He also questioned the state's leader Newsom’s handling of the LA wildfires, remarking that a parallel incident could result in the cancellation of the Olympics.

“When Newsom doesn’t play ball, we will have to be very tough,” he commented.

His message was just as clear for Boston.

“Boston should address these issues,” he said. “It's my message.”