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Former President Trump has yet again declared he would pressure FIFA to relocate upcoming World Cup events from a designated city based on the local political climate, with the Boston region emerging as the third targeted location to receive such warnings from the American leader. Moreover, Trump indicated he would consider parallel steps against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to perceived safety issues.

Official Power and Potential Influence

Although Trump holds no direct legal authority to personally cancel either competition, he can exert influence the respective governing bodies overseeing each competition to shift locations.

Setting for Statements

These statements were made during a news conference with Argentina's leader Milei, who was present in the presidential residence following the revelation of a $20 billion bailout for the Latin American nation. Near the close of the event, a reporter asked Trump about a latest public disturbance in downtown Boston where authorities were targeted and a patrol car was set on fire. The reporter also asked if such events could cause the loss of tournament responsibilities for the expanded World Cup.

“It's possible to take them away,” the former president stated about the World Cup games, scheduled to be hosted at Gillette Stadium. “Their mayor is poor … she’s radical left, and activists are occupying parts of Boston. That’s a significant claim, don't you think?”

Urban Disturbances and Public Safety Concerns

Street takeovers, a digitally organized occurrence where large crowds congregate on city streets during nighttime to perform stunts, have emerged as a repeated issue in metropolitan centers since the coronavirus shutdowns. Recent such gatherings have turned violent in the region, notably in Boston. Nevertheless, these events are generally not regarded as linked to any specific political ideology.

“In cases where a mayor is performing poorly, and I feel exist security risks, I would call the FIFA head, who is phenomenal, and tell him let’s move it to a different city,” he said publicly. “He'd do that. He might not prefer doing it, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he’d do it.”

FIFA Relationship

The organization's head has made no secret his attempts to be visibly associated with the US leader before next year’s tournament, scheduled to be organized in 11 cities across the US along with a couple in the northern neighbor and a few in Mexico. The head has participated at several presidential events, facilitated Trump deliver the Club World Cup cup after the championship match, and has even postponed his FIFA's internal meeting to join Trump on a journey to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Nevertheless, Trump from threatening the cancellation of FIFA World Cup matches from different locations. On September 25, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis faced parallel criticism, with Trump asserting both cities were “led by far-left extremists who are clueless what they are doing,” while criticizing the public safety of both cities and suggesting that games could be shifted.

FIFA Response

Victor Montagliani rejected Trump’s statements when he reacted days later at a conference in the UK capital.

“This is FIFA’s tournament, under our authority, the organization determines those decisions,” he said. “With all due respect to current world leaders, soccer is transcends political figures and soccer will survive their regime and their leadership. That is the essence of our game, that it is transcends a single person and more important than a nation.”

2028 Comments

During the event, Trump’s reply to a inquiry about the Massachusetts city extended to a comparable warning regarding the LA Olympic event.

“When I believed the city was failing to be adequately ready, I will shift it to an alternate venue if necessary,” Trump stated. “Regarding that event I may have to obtain a different kind of approval, but we will do that.”

Any approval Trump mentioned would must come from the IOC. Their leader, Kirsty Coventry, was chosen to her post in spring and has not yet appear together with Trump, but she said that she desires a meeting with the US figure at some point.

Further Comments

Trump also condemned California governor Newsom’s response of the California fires, stating that a parallel incident could lead to the relocation of the Games.

“When Newsom refuses to cooperate, we will have to be firm,” he said.

The warning was equally direct for the Massachusetts city.

“The city must improve their situation,” he remarked. “It's my message.”