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Ex-president Trump has yet again stated he would influence FIFA to remove global soccer tournament events from a venue based on the local politics, with Boston emerging as the latest targeted location to encounter such threats from the American leader. Furthermore, Trump indicated he would evaluate comparable measures against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to potential safety issues.

Legal Authority and Possible Pressure

Even though Trump does not have formal power to directly relocate either competition, he may lobby the respective governing bodies in charge of each tournament to shift locations.

Background of Comments

The remarks were made during a press event with Javier Milei, who was visiting the presidential residence following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar rescue package for the South American nation. Near the conclusion of the event, a media member asked Trump about a current public disturbance in downtown Boston where authorities were targeted and a patrol car was ignited. The journalist also questioned if the situation could result in the revocation of hosting duties for the larger World Cup.

“We could take them away,” the former president remarked about the FIFA World Cup fixtures, scheduled to be held at the Foxborough venue. “The city's leader is not good … she’s far-left, and activists are dominating areas of the city. That’s a pretty big assertion, right?”

Public Gatherings and Political Context

Public disruptions, a online-fueled phenomenon where groups of people assemble on public avenues late at night to engage in dangerous driving, have become a frequent issue in US urban areas since the lockdown restrictions. Latest such gatherings have turned violent in the state, notably in downtown. However, these events are generally not considered associated with any specific ideological group.

“If a mayor is performing poorly, and I feel there are dangerous circumstances, I'd call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and tell him it should be shifted to another location,” Trump said during the event. “He will do that. He wouldn’t love doing it, but he'd agree. Readily, he’d do it.”

Political Connections

Gianni Infantino has made no secret his efforts to be visibly associated with Trump prior to the upcoming World Cup, set to be hosted in multiple US locations across the US along with two in the northern neighbor and a few in Mexico. The organization's leader has been present at multiple presidential functions, had Trump hand over the FIFA club trophy after the concluding game, and has even postponed his own organization’s congress to travel with Trump on a journey to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Despite this, Trump from threatening the removal of FIFA World Cup games from different locations. In late September, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis faced parallel criticism, with Trump claiming both urban centers were “run by ideological activists who don’t know what they are doing,” while criticizing the security conditions of both cities and implying that games could be shifted.

FIFA Response

Victor Montagliani rejected Trump’s claims when he reacted days later at a event in England.

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, our responsibility, we decide such choices,” the vice-president stated. “Politely to sitting presidents, soccer is transcends them and the game will endure their regime and their leadership. That’s the strength of football, that it is bigger than any individual and bigger than a nation.”

Olympics Threat

During the event, Trump’s response to a question about Boston veered into a comparable warning regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“In case I believed Los Angeles was not going to be adequately ready, I will move it to an alternate venue if I had to,” he said. “Regarding that event I’d probably have to get a alternative consent, but we'd do that.”

The permission Trump refers to would must come through the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their head, the newly elected president, was elected to her position in spring and has yet to hold a public appearance with him, but she indicated that she hopes for a discussion with the US figure at some point.

Additional Criticism

He also condemned Gavin Newsom’s management of recent California fires, stating that a similar situation could result in the cancellation of the Games.

“In case Newsom refuses to cooperate, we will have to be very tough,” Trump said.

His message was similarly clear for Boston.

“The city must address these issues,” he remarked. “That is my message.”