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Donald Trump has repeatedly declared he would influence FIFA to pull upcoming World Cup games from a venue based on municipal governance, with Boston now being the most recent such city to receive such warnings from the White House. Additionally, Trump suggested he would evaluate parallel steps against LA for the 2028 Olympics due to possible safety issues.

Official Power and Potential Influence

While Trump does not have formal power to directly relocate either tournament, he can apply pressure the international organizations overseeing each competition to move locations.

Setting for Statements

These remarks were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was at the presidential residence following the disclosure of a multibillion-dollar financial assistance for the Latin American nation. Toward the conclusion of the meeting, a reporter questioned Trump about a current public disturbance in Boston where police officers were targeted and a police vehicle was burned. The reporter also asked if the situation could lead to the loss of organizing rights for the expanded soccer tournament.

“I would take them away,” Trump stated regarding the soccer games, scheduled to be held at the Foxborough venue. “She is poor … she’s far-left, and activists are dominating parts of Boston. It's a major assertion, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Public Safety Concerns

Public disruptions, a digitally organized occurrence where participants assemble on city streets late at night to engage in dangerous driving, have emerged as a repeated problem in US urban areas since the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Recent similar events have become aggressive in the state, notably in Boston. However, these gatherings are typically not seen as tied to any distinct political ideology.

“If a mayor is doing a bad job, and I feel exist dangerous circumstances, I'd call the organization's president, who is excellent, and say it should be shifted to a different city,” he stated during the event. “And he would do that. He may not enjoy to do it, but he’d do it. Without hesitation, he would.”

Political Connections

The organization's head has been open his strategies to be closely connected with the US leader before the upcoming World Cup, set to be hosted in numerous American venues across the US along with a couple in Canada and three in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has been present at various Oval Office functions, facilitated Trump hand over the Club World Cup award after that tournament’s final, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to join Trump on a visit to the Middle East earlier in 2025.

Past Statements

Despite this, Trump from suggesting the relocation of FIFA World Cup matches from additional American venues. On September 25, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis came under similar criticism, with Trump claiming both urban centers were “governed by radical left lunatics who don’t know what they're managing,” while challenging the public safety of both areas and claiming that events could be relocated.

Organizational Statement

The organization's deputy Montagliani dismissed Trump’s statements when he reacted days later at a gathering in the UK capital.

“It is FIFA’s tournament, our responsibility, FIFA makes these matters,” Montagliani said. “With all due respect to national heads, soccer is more important than any individual and soccer will outlast their regime and their government. That’s the beauty of our game, that it is more significant than a single person and bigger than a nation.”

Olympics Threat

Similarly, Trump’s response to a question about the Massachusetts city included a similar threat regarding the LA Olympic event.

“In case I perceived LA was failing to be adequately ready, I would shift it to another location if necessary,” he remarked. “On that one I’d probably have to get a alternative approval, but we would proceed.”

Any approval Trump refers to would need to come through the Olympic governing body. Their leader, Kirsty Coventry, was elected to her position in March and has not yet meet publicly with the former president, but she said that she hopes for a discussion with him at a future time.

Additional Criticism

He also condemned Gavin Newsom’s management of recent California fires, remarking that a similar situation could lead to the removal of the event.

“In case Newsom refuses to cooperate, we will have to be firm,” he stated.

The warning was similarly direct for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston should address these issues,” he remarked. “That’s all I will say.”