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Former President Trump has repeatedly declared he would pressure FIFA to remove 2026 World Cup matches from a host city based on that city's politics, with Boston becoming the most recent targeted location to encounter such warnings from the White House. Furthermore, Trump suggested he would evaluate similar action against Southern California for the 2028 Olympics due to possible security concerns.

Official Power and Informal Leverage

While Trump holds no formal power to unilaterally remove either event, he can apply pressure the international organizations overseeing each event to shift locations.

Background of Comments

The comments were made during a press event with Javier Milei, who was present in the presidential residence following the revelation of a massive financial assistance for the Latin American nation. At the close of the event, a media member inquired Trump about a recent “street takeover” in the city where law enforcement were targeted and a police vehicle was ignited. The correspondent also wondered if these incidents could cause the revocation of organizing rights for the expanded World Cup.

“It's possible to take them away,” he said concerning the World Cup games, scheduled to be staged at the Foxborough venue. “Their mayor is ineffective … they're radical left, and activists are occupying parts of downtown. That’s a pretty big claim, isn't it?”

Public Gatherings and Political Context

Street takeovers, a digitally organized occurrence where participants congregate on public avenues late at night to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have been a ongoing problem in metropolitan centers since the coronavirus restrictions. Current such gatherings have become aggressive in the state, including the city. Yet, these events are generally not seen as tied to any particular ideological group.

“In cases where someone is doing a bad job, and I feel there’s dangerous circumstances, I'd call Gianni [Infantino], who is excellent, and tell him let’s move it to an alternate venue,” Trump said on Tuesday. “He'd do that. He might not prefer the action, but he’d do it. Very easily, he’d do it.”

Organizational Alignment

The organization's head has made no secret his efforts to be closely connected with the former president before next year’s tournament, scheduled to be staged in 11 cities across the America along with two in Canada and three in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has been present at several presidential gatherings, had Trump deliver the club tournament award after the concluding game, and has even rescheduled his FIFA's internal meeting to travel with Trump on a journey to the Middle East this year.

Past Statements

Nevertheless, Trump from threatening the cancellation of World Cup matches from additional American venues. On September 25, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis came under similar comments, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “governed by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they’re doing,” while criticizing the public safety of both areas and suggesting that matches could be shifted.

FIFA Response

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

“It’s the organization's event, FIFA’s jurisdiction, the organization determines such choices,” the vice-president stated. “Respectfully to current world leaders, football is bigger than them and soccer will outlast their tenure and their leadership. That’s the beauty of this sport, that it is more significant than one leader and more important than any country.”

LA Games Warning

During the event, Trump’s reply to a query about Boston included a parallel statement regarding the LA Olympic event.

“When I thought Los Angeles was not going to be prepared properly, I'd relocate it to an alternate venue as needed,” Trump stated. “On that one I’d probably have to obtain a varying consent, but we will proceed.”

Official consent Trump mentioned would need to come through the Olympic governing body. Their president, she, was elected to her position in spring and has not yet meet publicly with the former president, although she indicated that she desires a discussion with him at some point.

Further Comments

Trump also condemned the state's leader Newsom’s handling of the California fires, saying that a comparable scenario could cause the cancellation of the Olympics.

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

His statement was just as clear for Boston.

“Boston better improve their situation,” Trump stated. “That’s all I will say.”