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Former President Trump has repeatedly stated he would influence FIFA to pull 2026 World Cup games from a host city based on the local politics, with Boston becoming the latest such city to receive such statements from the White House. Additionally, Trump suggested he would evaluate parallel steps against Southern California for the 2028 Olympics due to potential public safety risks.

Jurisdictional Limits and Potential Influence

While Trump holds no official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either competition, he may lobby the international organizations overseeing each competition to shift venues.

Background of Comments

These remarks were made during a press event with Argentinian president Milei, who was visiting the executive mansion following the announcement of a $20 billion financial assistance for the Argentine economy. At the close of the gathering, a journalist questioned Trump about a latest unauthorized gathering in the city where law enforcement were targeted and a patrol car was set on fire. The correspondent also wondered if these incidents could lead to the loss of hosting duties for the 48-team football competition.

“It's possible to take them away,” Trump said about the soccer matches, scheduled to be held at the Foxborough venue. “Their mayor is poor … she is far-left, and they are occupying areas of downtown. That is a major statement, isn't it?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Public disruptions, a online-fueled trend where participants congregate on city streets late at night to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have been a frequent issue in American cities since the coronavirus restrictions. Recent such gatherings have become aggressive in the region, including the city. Yet, these gatherings are generally not considered associated with any distinct partisan agenda.

“If a mayor is doing a bad job, and I feel there are dangerous circumstances, I'd call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and suggest we should relocate it to another location,” he commented during the event. “He will do that. He wouldn’t love to do it, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he'd comply.”

Political Connections

The organization's head has publicly acknowledged his strategies to be visibly associated with the US leader prior to next year’s tournament, set to be hosted in 11 cities across the United States along with several in the northern neighbor and a few in the southern neighbor. The head has appeared at multiple White House events, had Trump hand over the club tournament award after that tournament’s final, and has even postponed his FIFA's internal meeting to accompany Trump on a visit to the Middle East this year.

Past Statements

This has not stopped, Trump from suggesting the relocation of soccer games from other US host cities. On September 25, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis were parallel criticism, with Trump claiming both urban centers were “run by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they're managing,” while criticizing the security conditions of both areas and suggesting that events could be shifted.

FIFA Response

The organization's deputy Montagliani rejected Trump’s assertions when he responded days later at a gathering in the UK capital.

“It’s the organization's event, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes these matters,” Montagliani said. “Politely to national heads, football is transcends political figures and football will outlast their administration and their government. It's the beauty of football, that it is transcends one leader and bigger than individual states.”

2028 Comments

Similarly, Trump’s reply to a query about Boston included a comparable warning regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“When I thought the city was not prepared properly, I will move it to another location if I had to,” he said. “For the Olympics I’d probably have to secure a varying permission, but we would take that action.”

Any approval Trump refers to would must come through the IOC. Their leader, Kirsty Coventry, was elected to her position in this year and has yet to hold a public appearance with the former president, though she stated that she hopes for a meeting with him at eventually.

Additional Criticism

Trump also condemned the state's leader Newsom’s response of the LA wildfires, remarking that a comparable scenario could result in the removal of the event.

“If the governor is uncooperative, we are going to have to be firm,” he commented.

The warning was equally clear for the Massachusetts city.

“They must clean up their act,” he said. “It's my message.”