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Ex-president Trump has yet again declared he would influence FIFA to remove 2026 World Cup matches from a designated city based on municipal politics, with Massachusetts now being the latest targeted location to receive such threats from the White House. Furthermore, Trump indicated he would evaluate similar action against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to perceived safety issues.

Jurisdictional Limits and Informal Leverage

While Trump does not have official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either event, he can apply pressure the respective governing bodies in charge of each tournament to move venues.

Context of Remarks

These remarks were made during a news conference with Argentina's leader Milei, who was visiting the White House following the revelation of a $20 billion financial assistance for the South American nation. Toward the end of the event, a media member questioned Trump about a current unauthorized gathering in downtown Boston where law enforcement were targeted and a police vehicle was ignited. The journalist also questioned if the situation could lead to the revocation of tournament responsibilities for the larger football competition.

“It's possible to take them away,” the former president stated regarding the soccer matches, set to be hosted at Gillette Stadium. “She is poor … she’s far-left, and activists are taking over parts of the city. That is a major assertion, right?”

Public Gatherings and Ideological Perceptions

Public disruptions, a online-fueled phenomenon where participants congregate on public avenues during nighttime to perform stunts, have emerged as a ongoing issue in US urban areas since the lockdown restrictions. Latest incidents have escalated into violence in Massachusetts, including the city. Nevertheless, these occurrences are generally not considered linked to any specific political ideology.

“When a city is doing a bad job, and I perceive there’s unsafe conditions, I would call Gianni [Infantino], who is excellent, and suggest it should be shifted to an alternate venue,” Trump commented on Tuesday. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy doing it, but he would comply. Very easily, he would.”

FIFA Relationship

FIFA President has publicly acknowledged his efforts to be publicly aligned with the former president prior to the upcoming World Cup, set to be hosted in multiple US locations across the US along with two in Canada and three in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has been present at various presidential events, arranged for Trump hand over the Club World Cup cup after the championship match, and has even rescheduled his FIFA's internal meeting to join Trump on a trip to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

This has not stopped, Trump from suggesting the relocation of FIFA World Cup games from other US host cities. Recently, the Washington city and San Francisco came under similar statements, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “governed by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they are doing,” while criticizing the public safety of both locales and implying that games could be shifted.

FIFA Response

The organization's deputy Montagliani rejected Trump’s statements when he commented afterward at a event in the UK capital.

“It is FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, the organization determines these matters,” he declared. “With all due respect to current world leaders, soccer is more important than political figures and football will survive their regime and their leadership. That’s the essence of our game, that it is transcends any individual and beyond individual states.”

2028 Comments

During the event, Trump’s answer to a query about Boston included a parallel statement regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“If I perceived LA was failing to be prepared properly, I'd shift it to an alternate venue if necessary,” he remarked. “Regarding that event I’d probably have to secure a varying consent, but we'd proceed.”

Any approval Trump alluded to would have to come via the IOC. The president, she, was selected to her position in spring and has not yet meet publicly with him, though she stated that she would like a sit-down with Trump at a future time.

Additional Criticism

Trump also condemned California governor Newsom’s response of the LA wildfires, remarking that a parallel incident could result in the cancellation of the event.

“If he doesn’t play ball, we will have to be strict,” he commented.

His message was similarly unambiguous for Boston.

“The city better clean up their act,” he remarked. “That is I can say.”