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Ex-president Trump has yet again announced he would influence FIFA to pull 2026 World Cup events from a designated city based on that city's politics, with Boston becoming the most recent urban area to encounter such warnings from the US president. Moreover, Trump remarked he would contemplate similar action against Los Angeles for the upcoming Olympic Games due to possible public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Possible Pressure

Even though Trump holds no direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either event, he is able to apply pressure the international organizations in charge of each tournament to move locations.

Background of Comments

The comments were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was at the White House following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar rescue package for the Latin American nation. At the close of the event, a media member inquired Trump about a recent public disturbance in Boston where law enforcement were attacked and a cruiser was burned. The reporter also wondered if these incidents could cause the revocation of organizing rights for the expanded World Cup.

“It's possible to take them away,” Trump remarked regarding the soccer matches, planned to be held at the Foxborough venue. “The city's leader is poor … she’s radical left, and they are dominating areas of Boston. That is a pretty big claim, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Political Context

Street takeovers, a digitally organized occurrence where groups of people assemble on urban roads late at night to engage in dangerous driving, have been a frequent problem in US urban areas since the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Recent incidents have turned violent in the state, notably in downtown. Yet, these occurrences are generally not seen as associated with any particular political ideology.

“When someone is failing, and I perceive there’s dangerous circumstances, I will call Gianni [Infantino], who is excellent, and suggest we should relocate it to a different city,” he said publicly. “He will do that. He may not enjoy the action, but he would comply. Readily, he would.”

Political Connections

Gianni Infantino has publicly acknowledged his strategies to be closely connected with the US leader ahead of next year’s tournament, set to be staged in numerous American venues across the United States along with a couple in Canada and a few in the southern neighbor. The head has been present at several Oval Office events, had Trump hand over the Club World Cup trophy after the concluding game, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to accompany Trump on a journey to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

Nevertheless, Trump from threatening the cancellation of World Cup events from different locations. In late September, the Washington city and San Francisco came under comparable criticism, with Trump claiming both cities were “led by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they're managing,” while questioning the public safety of both locales and suggesting that matches could be shifted.

Official Rebuttal

FIFA vice-president Montagliani dismissed Trump’s statements when he responded subsequently at a gathering in the UK capital.

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions,” Montagliani declared. “Politely to sitting presidents, football is transcends political figures and soccer will outlast their tenure and their policies. That is the essence of football, that it is more significant than any individual and more important than any country.”

2028 Comments

Similarly, Trump’s reply to a question about the Massachusetts city included a comparable warning regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“If I believed LA was not going to be adequately ready, I will shift it to an alternate venue as needed,” he remarked. “For the Olympics I may have to obtain a alternative consent, but we would take that action.”

The permission Trump alluded to would must come from the IOC. Their leader, she, was selected to her post in March and has not yet hold a public appearance with him, but she stated that she desires a sit-down with the US figure at a future time.

Other Remarks

He also criticized Gavin Newsom’s response of the LA wildfires, saying that a similar situation could result in the removal of the Games.

“In case the governor doesn’t play ball, we are going to have to be very tough,” the former president stated.

The warning was equally clear for Boston.

“The city should clean up their act,” Trump stated. “That’s all I can say.”