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Former President Trump has yet again announced he would pressure FIFA to pull upcoming World Cup games from a designated city based on that city's politics, with Massachusetts becoming the third such city to face such threats from the White House. Additionally, Trump indicated he would evaluate similar action against Southern California for the upcoming Olympic Games due to potential public safety risks.

Official Power and Potential Influence

Although Trump holds no formal power to unilaterally remove either competition, he is able to exert influence the respective governing bodies in charge of each tournament to change locations.

Setting for Statements

These comments were made during a media briefing with Argentinian president Milei, who was visiting the White House following the disclosure of a massive rescue package for the South American nation. At the close of the gathering, a reporter inquired Trump about a recent “street takeover” in the city where authorities were targeted and a police vehicle was burned. The reporter also wondered if these incidents could result in the removal of organizing rights for the 48-team soccer tournament.

“I would take them away,” Trump stated regarding the soccer fixtures, set to be staged at the Massachusetts arena. “She is ineffective … they're far-left, and they’re dominating areas of the city. It's a major claim, right?”

Urban Disturbances and Ideological Perceptions

Street takeovers, a social media-driven trend where participants assemble on urban roads during nighttime to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have been a frequent nuisance in US urban areas since the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Latest such gatherings have escalated into violence in the region, notably in the city. Nevertheless, these gatherings are usually not seen as tied to any distinct partisan agenda.

“If a city is doing a bad job, and I perceive exist dangerous circumstances, I will call the organization's president, who is outstanding, and say it should be shifted to another location,” the former president said during the event. “And he would do that. He wouldn’t love doing it, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he’d do it.”

FIFA Relationship

Gianni Infantino has made no secret his strategies to be closely connected with Trump ahead of the 2026 event, scheduled 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 participated at several Oval Office events, facilitated Trump present the club tournament cup after the concluding game, and has even postponed his FIFA's internal meeting to travel with Trump on a trip to the Middle East earlier in 2025.

Past Statements

Nevertheless, Trump from threatening the relocation of FIFA World Cup events from different locations. On September 25, the Washington city and San Francisco were parallel criticism, with Trump stating both cities were “governed by far-left extremists who are clueless what they’re doing,” while challenging the security conditions of both cities and implying that games could be shifted.

FIFA Response

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

“It is the organization's event, our responsibility, the organization determines such choices,” he said. “Politely to sitting presidents, soccer is transcends political figures and football will survive their regime and their leadership. It's the beauty of our game, that it is transcends any individual and beyond any country.”

2028 Comments

On Tuesday, Trump’s reply to a inquiry about Boston veered into a similar threat regarding the LA Olympic event.

“In case I thought LA was failing to be sufficiently organized, I would move it to an alternate venue if necessary,” Trump stated. “Regarding that event I might have to obtain a varying approval, but we'd proceed.”

Any approval Trump alluded to would must come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The leader, she, was elected to her post in spring and has so far not meet publicly with the former president, though she stated that she would like a discussion with the US figure at some point.

Further Comments

The former president also criticized Gavin Newsom’s response of the LA wildfires, saying that a similar situation could cause the relocation of the Games.

“If the governor refuses to cooperate, we’re gonna have to be strict,” he said.

His statement was just as unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“The city better clean up their act,” he remarked. “That is my message.”