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Donald Trump has yet again declared he would pressure FIFA to pull 2026 World Cup events from a venue based on municipal politics, with the Boston region becoming the latest such city to face such threats from the US president. Moreover, Trump indicated he would contemplate comparable measures against Southern California for the upcoming Olympic Games due to possible security concerns.

Official Power and Informal Leverage

Even though Trump does not have official jurisdiction to personally cancel either competition, he can exert influence the international organizations overseeing each competition to move host cities.

Context of Remarks

These comments were made during a news conference with Argentina's leader Milei, who was present in the White House following the disclosure of a massive rescue package for the South American country. Toward the end of the meeting, a media member inquired Trump about a latest “street takeover” in downtown Boston where authorities were targeted and a cruiser was burned. The reporter also asked if these incidents could result in the removal of hosting duties for the expanded World Cup.

“I would take them away,” he said about the soccer matches, planned to be staged at Gillette Stadium. “She is not good … she is extremist, and they are occupying sections of the city. It's a pretty big claim, don't you think?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Public disruptions, a social media-driven phenomenon where groups of people assemble on urban roads late at night to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have been a frequent issue in American cities since the coronavirus restrictions. Latest such gatherings have become aggressive in the state, specifically in Boston. However, these gatherings are typically not regarded as associated with any particular partisan agenda.

“When a mayor is doing a bad job, and I perceive there are dangerous circumstances, I would call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and suggest it should be shifted to another location,” Trump stated during the event. “He will do that. He may not enjoy to do it, but he would comply. Readily, he’d do it.”

FIFA Relationship

FIFA President has made no secret his strategies to be closely connected with Trump prior to the upcoming World Cup, set to be staged in 11 cities across the US along with several in Canada and a few in the southern neighbor. The head has appeared at several presidential events, arranged for Trump present the club tournament cup after the championship match, and has even postponed his the group's assembly to accompany Trump on a journey to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Nevertheless, Trump from threatening the removal of soccer games from other US host cities. On September 25, the Washington city and San Francisco were comparable criticism, with Trump asserting both cities were “governed by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they are doing,” while questioning the public safety of both cities and claiming that matches could be shifted.

FIFA Response

The organization's deputy Montagliani rejected Trump’s statements when he responded afterward at a event in London.

“It is FIFA’s tournament, our responsibility, the organization determines such choices,” he stated. “Respectfully to sitting presidents, soccer is bigger than them and soccer will survive their administration and their government. It's the beauty of our game, that it is bigger than any individual and beyond individual states.”

Olympics Threat

Similarly, Trump’s answer to a query about the Massachusetts city veered into a comparable warning regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“When I perceived the city was failing to be sufficiently organized, I will shift it to a different city if necessary,” he remarked. “On that one I might have to secure a alternative approval, but we will take that action.”

Official consent Trump refers to would must come via the IOC. The head, Kirsty Coventry, was chosen to her position in spring and has yet to meet publicly with Trump, though she indicated that she desires a meeting with the US figure at some point.

Additional Criticism

He also condemned Gavin Newsom’s management of the California fires, remarking that a parallel incident could result in the cancellation of the event.

“When the governor refuses to cooperate, we’re gonna have to be strict,” the former president commented.

His message was equally direct for the Massachusetts city.

“The city better clean up their act,” he remarked. “It's I will say.”