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Ex-president Trump has repeatedly stated he would pressure FIFA to remove 2026 World Cup games from a venue based on municipal politics, with the Boston region becoming the third targeted location to face such threats from the American leader. Additionally, Trump indicated he would consider parallel steps against Los Angeles for the upcoming Olympic Games due to perceived security concerns.

Official Power and Informal Leverage

Even though Trump holds no official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either event, he may lobby the organizing committees managing each tournament to change locations.

Background of Comments

The remarks were made during a media briefing with Javier Milei, who was present in the White House following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar rescue package for the Latin American nation. Near the end of the meeting, a reporter inquired Trump about a latest “street takeover” in the city where authorities were assaulted and a cruiser was ignited. The correspondent also asked if the situation could cause the revocation of tournament responsibilities for the expanded soccer tournament.

“It's possible to take them away,” Trump remarked concerning the World Cup games, planned to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “Their mayor is ineffective … she is extremist, and activists are taking over parts of the city. It's a major claim, isn't it?”

Urban Disturbances and Public Safety Concerns

Street takeovers, a social media-driven occurrence where participants gather on urban roads after dark to engage in dangerous driving, have been a frequent nuisance in metropolitan centers since the Covid-19 pandemic closures. Current similar events have escalated into violence in Massachusetts, specifically in downtown. Yet, these occurrences are usually not considered associated with any distinct partisan agenda.

“When someone is performing poorly, and I feel there’s security risks, I would call the organization's president, who is phenomenal, and tell him let’s move it to a different city,” he stated publicly. “He will do that. He wouldn’t love the action, but he would comply. Very easily, he’d do it.”

Political Connections

The organization's head has publicly acknowledged his attempts to be publicly aligned with the former president before next year’s tournament, set to be hosted in multiple US locations across the America along with several in Canada and three in Mexico. The head has been present at multiple White House gatherings, facilitated Trump deliver the FIFA club trophy after that tournament’s final, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to join Trump on a trip to the Middle East earlier in 2025.

Past Statements

This has not stopped, Trump from threatening the removal of FIFA World Cup games from different locations. In late September, the Washington city and San Francisco were comparable criticism, with Trump claiming both locations were “run by radical left lunatics who lack understanding what they're managing,” while questioning the safety level of both locales and claiming that events could be relocated.

Official Rebuttal

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

“It is the organization's event, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions,” Montagliani said. “With all due respect to current world leaders, football is more important than any individual and soccer will survive their tenure and their government. That’s the essence of this sport, that it is bigger than any individual and bigger than a nation.”

2028 Comments

During the event, Trump’s reply to a question about the Massachusetts city included a parallel statement regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“In case I thought LA was failing to be sufficiently organized, I would move it to another location if necessary,” Trump stated. “For the Olympics I’d probably have to obtain a different kind of approval, but we'd take that action.”

Any approval Trump refers to would must come through the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The leader, she, was chosen to her position in March and has so far not meet publicly with him, though she stated that she would like a discussion with Trump at eventually.

Other Remarks

He also criticized California governor Newsom’s response of recent LA wildfires, saying that a comparable scenario could result in the removal of the Olympics.

“When he doesn’t play ball, we’re gonna have to be strict,” the former president said.

His message was just as unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“The city must clean up their act,” he remarked. “It's my message.”