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Ex-president Trump has once again declared he would influence FIFA to remove global soccer tournament matches from a designated city based on that city's governance, with Boston emerging as the latest urban area to encounter such warnings from the White House. Furthermore, Trump indicated he would evaluate similar action against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to potential security concerns.

Official Power and Potential Influence

Even though Trump holds no official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either tournament, he is able to exert influence the respective governing bodies overseeing each tournament to move host cities.

Background of Comments

These statements were made during a media briefing with Argentina's leader Milei, who was present in the presidential residence following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar financial assistance for the Argentine country. At the conclusion of the event, a journalist inquired Trump about a recent “street takeover” in the city where law enforcement were assaulted and a cruiser was burned. The journalist also wondered if these incidents could cause the loss of tournament responsibilities for the larger World Cup.

“It's possible to take them away,” Trump stated regarding the soccer matches, set to be staged at Gillette Stadium. “She is poor … they're far-left, and they are taking over sections of downtown. It's a major assertion, isn't it?”

Street Takeovers and Public Safety Concerns

Unauthorized gatherings, a online-fueled occurrence where participants congregate on city streets during nighttime to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have emerged as a frequent issue in American cities since the coronavirus shutdowns. Current incidents have become aggressive in the region, specifically in the city. Nevertheless, these events are usually not seen as linked to any distinct partisan agenda.

“In cases where a mayor is failing, and I believe exist security risks, I will call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and say let’s move it to a different city,” he commented on Tuesday. “He'd do that. He wouldn’t love to do it, but he’d do it. Readily, he'd comply.”

Organizational Alignment

Gianni Infantino has been open his attempts to be visibly associated with Trump prior to the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to be organized in multiple US locations across the America along with a couple in the northern neighbor and three in the southern neighbor. The head has appeared at various presidential events, had Trump hand over the club tournament cup after the championship match, and has even rescheduled his own organization’s congress to travel with Trump on a visit to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Past Statements

Despite this, Trump from threatening the relocation of soccer events from other US host cities. On September 25, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis came under parallel comments, with Trump asserting both cities were “governed by far-left extremists who lack understanding what they’re doing,” while criticizing the public safety of both locales and suggesting that matches could be shifted.

Organizational Statement

Victor Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s statements when he reacted days later at a event in England.

“This is FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, we decide those decisions,” he said. “With all due respect to sitting presidents, soccer is more important than political figures and football will outlast their regime and their policies. It's the essence of our game, that it is transcends a single person and beyond individual states.”

LA Games Warning

During the event, Trump’s response to a question about Boston veered into a parallel statement regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“When I perceived the city was not adequately ready, I'd shift it to a different city if I had to,” Trump stated. “Regarding that event I’d probably have to secure a varying approval, but we will do that.”

The permission Trump alluded to would need to come via the IOC. Their president, Kirsty Coventry, was selected to her role in spring and has not yet appear together with Trump, although she said that she hopes for a sit-down with the US figure at some point.

Other Remarks

The former president also questioned Gavin Newsom’s management of this year’s blazes, saying that a similar situation could result in the cancellation of the Games.

“In case he doesn’t play ball, we will have to be very tough,” he said.

His statement was equally clear for Boston.

“The city should clean up their act,” he said. “That’s all I can say.”