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Ex-president Trump has repeatedly declared he would influence FIFA to remove global soccer tournament events from a venue based on municipal political climate, with the Boston region emerging as the third targeted location to receive such statements from the White House. Furthermore, Trump indicated he would consider parallel steps against Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics due to perceived security concerns.

Legal Authority and Potential Influence

While Trump holds no official jurisdiction to personally cancel either tournament, he may apply pressure the organizing committees overseeing each event to move host cities.

Context of Remarks

The remarks were made during a media briefing with Javier Milei, who was visiting the White House following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar financial assistance for the Latin American nation. At the end of the meeting, a media member questioned Trump about a latest unauthorized gathering in Boston where police officers were attacked and a cruiser was ignited. The reporter also wondered if these incidents could lead to the removal of hosting duties for the 48-team football competition.

“I would take them away,” he stated concerning the FIFA World Cup matches, scheduled to be held at the Massachusetts arena. “She is not good … she is extremist, and they are dominating parts of Boston. That is a significant assertion, isn't it?”

Street Takeovers and Ideological Perceptions

Public disruptions, a social media-driven occurrence where large crowds assemble on public avenues late at night to engage in dangerous driving, have become a frequent nuisance in US urban areas since the coronavirus shutdowns. Current such gatherings have escalated into violence in Massachusetts, notably in Boston. Yet, these gatherings are typically not regarded as associated with any distinct political ideology.

“If someone is doing a bad job, and I feel there’s security risks, I will call the organization's president, who is excellent, and say we should relocate it to another location,” the former president commented on Tuesday. “And he would do that. He wouldn’t love doing it, but he would comply. Readily, he would.”

FIFA Relationship

The organization's head has made no secret his strategies to be publicly aligned with the US leader prior to the 2026 event, set to be organized in multiple US locations across the America along with several in Canada and three in the southern neighbor. The FIFA president has participated at multiple White House events, had Trump hand over the Club World Cup cup after the championship match, and has even rescheduled his the group's assembly to accompany Trump on a trip to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Nevertheless, Trump from suggesting the cancellation of soccer games from other US host cities. On September 25, Seattle and San Francisco faced similar comments, with Trump claiming both locations were “led by far-left extremists who don’t know what they're managing,” while criticizing the safety level of both cities and suggesting that events could be removed.

Official Rebuttal

Victor Montagliani rejected Trump’s claims when he commented afterward at a gathering in England.

“It is the organization's event, FIFA’s jurisdiction, the organization determines such choices,” the vice-president said. “With all due respect to sitting presidents, soccer is more important than any individual and the game will outlast their tenure and their leadership. It's the essence of this sport, that it is transcends a single person and more important than individual states.”

LA Games Warning

On Tuesday, Trump’s response to a query about the Massachusetts city extended to a similar threat regarding the LA Olympic event.

“When I perceived Los Angeles was failing to be prepared properly, I would move it to a different city if necessary,” Trump stated. “Regarding that event I may have to get a alternative permission, but we would do that.”

The permission Trump refers to would must come through the Olympic governing body. The head, Kirsty Coventry, was chosen to her post in March and has so far not appear together with him, although she said that she would like a discussion with Trump at some point.

Additional Criticism

The former president also condemned California governor Newsom’s management of recent California fires, remarking that a comparable scenario could lead to the removal of the Games.

“When he refuses to cooperate, we will have to be very tough,” he said.

The warning was just as direct for the Massachusetts city.

“The city better improve their situation,” he said. “That is my message.”