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Former President Trump has yet again stated he would influence FIFA to pull upcoming World Cup games from a host city based on that city's politics, with Massachusetts emerging as the latest targeted location to face such threats from the American leader. Furthermore, Trump suggested he would consider similar action against LA for the 2028 Summer Games due to possible public safety risks.

Official Power and Informal Leverage

Even though Trump holds no direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either event, he may apply pressure the respective governing bodies in charge of each event to change venues.

Setting for Statements

The remarks were made during a press event with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the presidential residence following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar financial assistance for the Argentine economy. Toward the conclusion of the event, a journalist inquired Trump about a recent unauthorized gathering in the city where police officers were targeted and a cruiser was ignited. The journalist also questioned if such events could lead to the removal of tournament responsibilities for the 48-team World Cup.

“We could take them away,” Trump said regarding the World Cup fixtures, scheduled to be held at the Foxborough venue. “The city's leader is not good … they're radical left, and they’re dominating areas of downtown. It's a pretty big assertion, don't you think?”

Street Takeovers and Ideological Perceptions

Street takeovers, a online-fueled occurrence where large crowds congregate on public avenues after dark to perform stunts, have emerged as a frequent problem in US urban areas since the Covid-19 pandemic shutdowns. Current similar events have turned violent in Massachusetts, notably in Boston. Yet, these occurrences are typically not considered associated with any particular political ideology.

“When someone is doing a bad job, and I perceive exist unsafe conditions, I'd call the organization's president, who is excellent, and suggest let’s move it to an alternate venue,” he commented on Tuesday. “He will do that. He may not enjoy to do it, but he would comply. Readily, he'd comply.”

FIFA Relationship

FIFA President has made no secret his strategies to be visibly associated with the US leader ahead of the 2026 event, planned to be organized in 11 cities across the America along with a couple in the northern neighbor and a few in Mexico. The organization's leader has participated at multiple White House events, facilitated Trump hand over the FIFA club award after the championship match, and has even postponed his the group's assembly to accompany Trump on a trip to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Despite this, Trump from warning about the cancellation of World Cup matches from additional American venues. In late September, the Washington city and San Francisco came under parallel comments, with Trump stating both urban centers were “governed by radical left lunatics who lack understanding what they're managing,” while challenging the public safety of both locales and claiming that matches could be removed.

Official Rebuttal

Victor Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s assertions when he reacted subsequently at a gathering in the UK capital.

“It’s our competition, our responsibility, FIFA makes these matters,” he said. “With all due respect to current world leaders, soccer is transcends political figures and football will survive their regime and their leadership. That is the strength of this sport, that it is more significant than any individual and beyond any country.”

Olympics Threat

On Tuesday, Trump’s reply to a query about Boston veered into a parallel statement regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“When I perceived the city was not adequately ready, I will shift it to another location as needed,” he remarked. “Regarding that event I’d probably have to get a varying consent, but we would take that action.”

Official consent Trump refers to would must come through the IOC. Their leader, the newly elected president, was chosen to her post in spring and has so far not hold a public appearance with Trump, though she indicated that she would like a sit-down with Trump at some point.

Further Comments

Trump also criticized California governor Newsom’s response of this year’s LA wildfires, remarking that a similar situation could lead to the relocation of the Games.

“In case the governor refuses to cooperate, we’re gonna have to be firm,” the former president said.

His statement was just as clear for Boston.

“Boston better clean up their act,” he remarked. “That’s all I will say.”