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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 governance, with the Boston region emerging as the third targeted location to receive such warnings from the American leader. Moreover, Trump remarked he would contemplate comparable measures against LA for the 2028 Olympics due to perceived security concerns.

Legal Authority and Possible Pressure

Although Trump lacks direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either event, he can apply pressure the international organizations overseeing each event to shift venues.

Setting for Statements

The remarks were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was visiting the White House following the revelation of a massive financial assistance for the Argentine nation. Toward the close of the event, a journalist asked Trump about a latest “street takeover” in Boston where authorities were targeted and a patrol car was ignited. The reporter also asked if such events could cause the loss of hosting duties for the 48-team soccer tournament.

“We could take them away,” the former president said about the FIFA World Cup matches, planned to be held at Gillette Stadium. “The city's leader is poor … they're radical left, and they are dominating sections of Boston. That’s a major statement, don't you think?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a online-fueled occurrence where participants congregate on public avenues during nighttime to perform stunts, have been a frequent nuisance in US urban areas since the lockdown restrictions. Latest similar events have become aggressive in the region, specifically in Boston. Yet, these events are typically not regarded as associated with any particular ideological group.

“When a mayor is doing a bad job, and I perceive there are security risks, I will call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and say it should be shifted to an alternate venue,” Trump said during the event. “He'd do that. He wouldn’t love to do it, but he’d do it. Readily, he’d do it.”

Political Connections

The organization's head has made no secret his attempts to be visibly associated with the former president before the 2026 event, scheduled to be organized in multiple US locations across the America along with a couple in the northern neighbor and multiple in the southern neighbor. The FIFA president has appeared at various White House gatherings, facilitated Trump hand over the Club World Cup trophy after that tournament’s final, and has even postponed his own organization’s congress to accompany Trump on a visit to the Arab region previously.

Earlier Warnings

Nevertheless, Trump from threatening the removal of soccer events from other US host cities. On September 25, the Washington city and San Francisco came under similar comments, with Trump stating both locations were “governed by radical left lunatics who lack understanding what they're managing,” while criticizing the security conditions of both cities and suggesting that events could be removed.

FIFA Response

FIFA vice-president Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s statements when he commented afterward at a gathering in London.

“This is our competition, under our authority, the organization determines those decisions,” Montagliani declared. “With all due respect to sitting presidents, football is more important than political figures and football will outlast their tenure and their leadership. That is the essence of football, that it is more significant than one leader and more important than any country.”

2028 Comments

Similarly, Trump’s response to a query about the Massachusetts city included a parallel statement regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“In case I believed Los Angeles was not going to be adequately ready, I would move it to another location if I had to,” he said. “For the Olympics I’d probably have to get a varying approval, but we will take that action.”

Official consent Trump alluded to would have to come via the Olympic governing body. Their head, the newly elected president, was selected to her position in March and has not yet appear together with him, though she indicated that she would like a sit-down with Trump at eventually.

Further Comments

He also questioned the state's leader Newsom’s management of the California fires, saying that a parallel incident could result in the removal of the Games.

“When he doesn’t play ball, we’re gonna have to be firm,” he stated.

The warning was just as direct for the Massachusetts city.

“They better address these issues,” Trump stated. “That’s all my message.”