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Donald Trump has repeatedly declared he would urge FIFA to pull global soccer tournament matches from a designated city based on the local politics, with the Boston region emerging as the latest urban area to encounter such warnings from the American leader. Moreover, Trump suggested he would consider comparable measures against LA for the upcoming Olympic Games due to potential security concerns.

Official Power and Informal Leverage

Although Trump lacks official jurisdiction to directly relocate either tournament, he may lobby the international organizations managing each event to move host cities.

Background of Comments

These remarks were made during a media briefing with Javier Milei, who was visiting the White House following the disclosure of a massive financial assistance for the Argentine country. At the close of the event, a reporter inquired Trump about a latest “street takeover” in Boston where law enforcement were targeted and a police vehicle was burned. The reporter also wondered if the situation could result in the loss of hosting duties for the larger World Cup.

“It's possible to take them away,” he said concerning the World Cup games, scheduled to be hosted at Gillette Stadium. “The city's leader is ineffective … she is extremist, and they are taking over sections of the city. It's a major claim, isn't it?”

Street Takeovers and Ideological Perceptions

Unauthorized gatherings, a digitally organized phenomenon where groups of people assemble on urban roads late at night to perform stunts, have emerged as a ongoing problem in American cities since the lockdown closures. Recent such gatherings have escalated into violence in the state, specifically in the city. Yet, these gatherings are generally not regarded as linked to any particular ideological group.

“If a mayor is failing, and I feel exist dangerous circumstances, I'd call the FIFA head, who is excellent, and suggest we should relocate it to an alternate venue,” he said during the event. “He will do that. He wouldn’t love to do it, but he would comply. Readily, he would.”

FIFA Relationship

FIFA President has been open his attempts to be visibly associated with Trump prior to the 2026 event, scheduled to be staged in 11 cities across the America along with several in Canada and three in Mexico. The FIFA president has been present at various presidential events, arranged for Trump present the FIFA club cup after the concluding game, and has even postponed his own organization’s congress to accompany Trump on a visit to the Middle East this year.

Earlier Warnings

This has not stopped, Trump from suggesting the relocation of soccer matches from additional American venues. On September 25, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis were parallel criticism, with Trump asserting both locations were “led by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they're managing,” while challenging the public safety of both areas and suggesting that games could be removed.

Organizational Statement

FIFA vice-president Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s assertions when he responded days later at a event in England.

“This is FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, the organization determines these matters,” Montagliani said. “Politely to current world leaders, soccer is bigger than them and football will survive their tenure and their policies. It's the beauty of football, that it is bigger than a single person and beyond individual states.”

Olympics Threat

Similarly, Trump’s answer to a query about the Massachusetts city extended to a comparable warning regarding the LA Olympic event.

“When I believed LA was failing to be prepared properly, I'd relocate it to a different city if necessary,” he said. “For the Olympics I might have to obtain a different kind of consent, but we will take that action.”

The permission Trump refers to would need to come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their president, she, was elected to her position in this year and has so far not meet publicly with the former president, but she said that she hopes for a sit-down with Trump at some point.

Additional Criticism

Trump also criticized Gavin Newsom’s management of the California fires, saying that a comparable scenario could result in the relocation of the event.

“In case he is uncooperative, we are going to have to be firm,” he commented.

His message was similarly unambiguous for Boston.

“They should address these issues,” he remarked. “That is I will say.”