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Former President Trump has yet again announced he would influence FIFA to pull 2026 World Cup games from a venue based on that city's governance, with Boston becoming the most recent targeted location to encounter such threats from the US president. Additionally, Trump remarked he would contemplate parallel steps against LA for the upcoming Olympic Games due to perceived security concerns.

Legal Authority and Potential Influence

Although Trump does not have official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either tournament, he can apply pressure the organizing committees overseeing each event to shift locations.

Background of Comments

The remarks were made during a news conference with Javier Milei, who was at the White House following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar financial assistance for the Argentine country. Toward the conclusion of the gathering, a reporter inquired Trump about a current unauthorized gathering in downtown Boston where law enforcement were assaulted and a police vehicle was ignited. The reporter also questioned if these incidents could cause the revocation of organizing rights for the larger World Cup.

“It's possible to take them away,” he said regarding the FIFA World Cup fixtures, planned to be hosted at the Foxborough venue. “She is not good … she is far-left, and they are occupying areas of downtown. That’s a significant claim, don't you think?”

Urban Disturbances and Public Safety Concerns

Street takeovers, a social media-driven trend where large crowds congregate on public avenues during nighttime to perform stunts, have become a frequent problem in American cities since the lockdown restrictions. Latest incidents have become aggressive in the state, including Boston. However, these events are typically not seen as associated with any specific ideological group.

“When a mayor is doing a bad job, and I perceive there are unsafe conditions, I would call the organization's president, who is excellent, and tell him we should relocate it to an alternate venue,” Trump said on Tuesday. “And he would do that. He may not enjoy to do it, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he would.”

FIFA Relationship

FIFA President has made no secret his strategies to be closely connected with Trump ahead of the 2026 event, scheduled to be hosted in multiple US locations across the America along with a couple in Canada and three in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has been present at several presidential gatherings, had Trump deliver the FIFA club cup after the championship match, and has even delayed his the group's assembly to travel with Trump on a trip to the Middle East earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

Despite this, Trump from threatening the relocation of World Cup events from other US host cities. In late September, the Washington city and San Francisco were parallel comments, with Trump asserting both cities were “run by far-left extremists who are clueless what they're managing,” while challenging the public safety of both areas and implying that games could be removed.

FIFA Response

The organization's deputy Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s statements when he commented subsequently at a conference in London.

“It’s the organization's event, our responsibility, we decide such choices,” the vice-president stated. “Politely to current world leaders, the sport is more important than any individual and the game will survive their administration and their leadership. That is the essence of football, that it is bigger than any individual and beyond any country.”

LA Games Warning

Similarly, Trump’s response to a question about the Massachusetts city extended to a comparable warning regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“If I believed Los Angeles was not going to be prepared properly, I will move it to another location if I had to,” Trump stated. “For the Olympics I may have to obtain a varying consent, but we'd take that action.”

Official consent Trump refers to would must come from the IOC. Their leader, the newly elected president, was chosen to her role in spring and has yet to hold a public appearance with him, though she stated that she hopes for a discussion with him at a future time.

Further Comments

He also condemned Gavin Newsom’s management of the California fires, remarking that a comparable scenario could lead to the relocation of the event.

“If the governor refuses to cooperate, we’re gonna have to be very tough,” he stated.

His message was just as unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“They should address these issues,” Trump stated. “That’s all I can say.”