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Donald Trump has once again stated he would pressure FIFA to relocate upcoming World Cup matches from a host city based on municipal governance, with Massachusetts becoming the third targeted location to encounter such threats from the American leader. Furthermore, Trump suggested he would contemplate parallel steps against LA for the upcoming Olympic Games due to potential public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Potential Influence

Even though Trump lacks formal power to personally cancel either tournament, he may apply pressure the international organizations in charge of each tournament to change host cities.

Background of Comments

The remarks were made during a press event with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the presidential residence following the revelation of a $20 billion financial assistance for the Latin American economy. Toward the close of the meeting, a media member asked Trump about a recent “street takeover” in Boston where law enforcement were targeted and a police vehicle was set on fire. The correspondent also asked if such events could cause the loss of organizing rights for the larger football competition.

“We could take them away,” the former president stated regarding the soccer fixtures, planned to be staged at Gillette Stadium. “She is ineffective … they're extremist, and activists are occupying parts of Boston. That is a pretty big claim, right?”

Street Takeovers and Public Safety Concerns

Public disruptions, a social media-driven occurrence where groups of people assemble on urban roads after dark to perform stunts, have become a repeated problem in American cities since the lockdown restrictions. Current similar events have turned violent in the region, notably in downtown. However, these events are typically not seen as tied to any particular political ideology.

“When someone is failing, and I perceive exist security risks, I will call the organization's president, who is excellent, and say we should relocate it to an alternate venue,” Trump said publicly. “He'd do that. He might not prefer doing it, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he would.”

Organizational Alignment

Gianni Infantino has publicly acknowledged his efforts to be visibly associated with the US leader prior to next year’s tournament, planned to be organized in numerous American venues across the United States along with a couple in the northern neighbor and a few in the southern neighbor. The FIFA president has participated at several White House events, facilitated Trump deliver the FIFA club award after that tournament’s final, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to accompany Trump on a visit to the Middle East earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

Despite this, Trump from warning about the relocation of World Cup games from different locations. In late September, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis faced parallel criticism, with Trump claiming both urban centers were “governed by ideological activists who lack understanding what they are doing,” while challenging the safety level of both cities and claiming that matches could be shifted.

Organizational Statement

The organization's deputy Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s statements when he commented afterward at a event in England.

“It is the organization's event, our responsibility, the organization determines such choices,” the vice-president stated. “Respectfully to sitting presidents, football is bigger than any individual and football will survive their regime and their government. That is the essence of this sport, that it is transcends any individual and more important than individual states.”

Olympics Threat

Similarly, Trump’s answer to a question about Boston extended to a similar threat regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“When I thought LA was failing to be adequately ready, I'd shift it to another location as needed,” Trump stated. “On that one I might have to get a different kind of consent, but we'd take that action.”

Any approval Trump alluded to would must come through the Olympic governing body. The president, she, was selected to her post in March and has so far not hold a public appearance with him, but she stated that she would like a meeting with the US figure at some point.

Further Comments

He also questioned the state's leader Newsom’s management of recent California fires, saying that a comparable scenario could cause the removal of the event.

“If Newsom is uncooperative, we are going to have to be strict,” the former president stated.

His statement was equally clear for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston must improve their situation,” he remarked. “It's I can say.”