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Donald Trump has once again declared he would urge FIFA to remove global soccer tournament events from a venue based on municipal political climate, with the Boston region now being the latest targeted location to encounter such warnings from the White House. Additionally, Trump indicated he would contemplate comparable measures against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to perceived public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Informal Leverage

While Trump lacks official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either event, he can lobby the international organizations in charge of each competition to shift locations.

Background of Comments

These comments were made during a news conference with Javier Milei, who was present in the executive mansion following the announcement of a multibillion-dollar bailout for the South American economy. At the conclusion of the gathering, a media member inquired Trump about a current unauthorized gathering in downtown Boston where authorities were targeted and a cruiser was set on fire. The journalist also questioned if the situation could result in the removal of organizing rights for the expanded soccer tournament.

“We could take them away,” the former president said about the FIFA World Cup matches, set to be held at Gillette Stadium. “She is ineffective … she is radical left, and activists are occupying parts of downtown. That is a major statement, don't you think?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Public disruptions, a social media-driven phenomenon where participants congregate on city streets after dark to perform stunts, have been a ongoing problem in US urban areas since the coronavirus restrictions. Latest incidents have become aggressive in the state, specifically in downtown. Yet, these gatherings are usually not considered linked to any specific political ideology.

“In cases where a mayor is failing, and I feel there’s dangerous circumstances, I would call Gianni [Infantino], who is outstanding, and say we should relocate it to an alternate venue,” the former president commented on Tuesday. “He'd do that. He wouldn’t love doing it, but he'd agree. Very easily, he’d do it.”

Organizational Alignment

The organization's head has been open his efforts to be publicly aligned with the US leader ahead of the 2026 event, planned to be staged in 11 cities across the US along with a couple in Canada and three in the southern neighbor. The FIFA president has appeared at various Oval Office functions, facilitated Trump present the Club World Cup trophy after the concluding game, and has even rescheduled his the group's assembly to join Trump on a trip to the Middle East earlier in 2025.

Past Statements

Despite this, Trump from warning about the removal of World Cup events from other US host cities. Recently, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis faced similar criticism, with Trump asserting both locations were “run by ideological activists who are clueless what they're managing,” while criticizing the safety level of both locales and claiming that matches could be relocated.

Official Rebuttal

FIFA vice-president Montagliani dismissed Trump’s assertions when he responded days later at a event in London.

“This is our competition, FIFA’s jurisdiction, the organization determines these matters,” the vice-president declared. “Respectfully to current world leaders, soccer is bigger than them and soccer will endure their administration and their leadership. That is the beauty of this sport, that it is bigger than any individual and beyond individual states.”

Olympics Threat

During the event, Trump’s response to a inquiry about Boston veered into a comparable warning regarding the LA Olympic event.

“In case I thought Los Angeles was not sufficiently organized, I'd relocate it to a different city if necessary,” Trump stated. “For the Olympics I may have to get a varying approval, but we'd take that action.”

Any approval Trump alluded to would must come from the IOC. Their leader, the newly elected president, was chosen to her role in this year and has yet to hold a public appearance with the former president, though she said that she hopes for a meeting with the US figure at some point.

Further Comments

Trump also criticized Gavin Newsom’s handling of this year’s California fires, remarking that a comparable scenario could result in the removal of the Olympics.

“When he doesn’t play ball, we’re gonna have to be very tough,” he said.

The warning was similarly unambiguous for Boston.

“Boston should clean up their act,” Trump stated. “It's my message.”