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Ex-president Trump has once again declared he would urge FIFA to remove global soccer tournament games from a host city based on municipal political climate, with the Boston region emerging as the most recent targeted location to receive such threats from the White House. Furthermore, Trump remarked he would consider comparable measures against LA for the 2028 Olympics due to perceived safety issues.

Legal Authority and Potential Influence

While Trump holds no formal power to personally cancel either event, he is able to lobby the organizing committees managing each event to move host cities.

Background of Comments

His statements were made during a media briefing with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the presidential residence following the disclosure of a massive rescue package for the Argentine country. Toward the conclusion of the gathering, a media member asked Trump about a recent unauthorized gathering in downtown Boston where law enforcement were attacked and a police vehicle was set on fire. The reporter also wondered if such events could cause the loss of tournament responsibilities for the 48-team football competition.

“I would take them away,” the former president remarked about the FIFA World Cup games, scheduled to be hosted at the Foxborough venue. “Their mayor is ineffective … she’s extremist, and activists are dominating sections of Boston. It's a pretty big statement, right?”

Urban Disturbances and Political Context

Public disruptions, a online-fueled phenomenon where groups of people gather on urban roads late at night to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have been a frequent issue in metropolitan centers since the lockdown restrictions. Latest such gatherings have become aggressive in the region, specifically in the city. Yet, these occurrences are generally not regarded as associated with any particular political ideology.

“If someone is failing, and I believe exist security risks, I will call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and say we should relocate it to another location,” the former president said during the event. “And he would do that. He wouldn’t love doing it, but he would comply. Readily, he'd comply.”

Political Connections

FIFA President has made no secret his efforts to be closely connected with Trump ahead of the 2026 event, scheduled to be staged in 11 cities across the US along with several in the northern neighbor and three in Mexico. The organization's leader has been present at several presidential events, had Trump hand over the club tournament cup after the concluding game, and has even rescheduled his the group's assembly to accompany Trump on a visit to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

This has not stopped, Trump from threatening the cancellation of FIFA World Cup games from additional American venues. In late September, Seattle and San Francisco were parallel comments, with Trump claiming both cities were “led by far-left extremists who are clueless what they are doing,” while challenging the public safety of both cities and implying that games could be shifted.

Official Rebuttal

The organization's deputy Montagliani dismissed Trump’s statements when he reacted days later at a event in London.

“It’s the organization's event, under our authority, the organization determines such choices,” the vice-president stated. “With all due respect to current world leaders, the sport is transcends them and football will survive their tenure and their leadership. That is the essence of our game, that it is more significant than one leader and more important than any country.”

Olympics Threat

Similarly, Trump’s response to a inquiry about Boston included a parallel statement regarding the LA Olympic event.

“In case I perceived Los Angeles was not going to be prepared properly, I'd move it to an alternate venue as needed,” Trump stated. “Regarding that event I might have to get a varying permission, but we will do that.”

Any approval Trump refers to would have to come via the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their leader, the newly elected president, was selected to her post in March and has not yet hold a public appearance with the former president, but she indicated that she desires a discussion with the US figure at some point.

Additional Criticism

The former president also criticized Gavin Newsom’s response of the LA wildfires, remarking that a similar situation could result in the cancellation of the event.

“In case he refuses to cooperate, we are going to have to be strict,” the former president said.

His statement was equally direct for Boston.

“The city must improve their situation,” Trump stated. “That is I will say.”