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Donald Trump has yet again stated he would influence FIFA to relocate upcoming World Cup games from a designated city based on municipal governance, with the Boston region emerging as the most recent urban area to receive such warnings from the White House. Additionally, Trump indicated he would contemplate similar action against Southern California for the 2028 Olympics due to perceived security concerns.

Jurisdictional Limits and Potential Influence

Even though Trump holds no formal power to directly relocate either event, he can exert influence the organizing committees managing each competition to shift venues.

Setting for Statements

His remarks were made during a press event with Javier Milei, who was at the executive mansion following the disclosure of a multibillion-dollar financial assistance for the Argentine economy. Near the conclusion of the gathering, a reporter asked Trump about a current public disturbance in downtown Boston where law enforcement were targeted and a patrol car was ignited. The correspondent also asked if the situation could lead to the revocation of organizing rights for the 48-team World Cup.

“We could take them away,” the former president remarked regarding the soccer fixtures, planned to be held at Gillette Stadium. “Their mayor is not good … she is far-left, and activists are occupying areas of the city. It's a pretty big claim, right?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven trend where participants assemble on urban roads late at night to engage in dangerous driving, have become a frequent nuisance in American cities since the coronavirus closures. Latest similar events have turned violent in Massachusetts, notably in the city. Nevertheless, these events are usually not regarded as linked to any specific ideological group.

“When a city is failing, and I believe there are dangerous circumstances, I would call the FIFA head, who is excellent, and tell him it should be shifted to an alternate venue,” he commented on Tuesday. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy doing it, but he’d do it. Without hesitation, he'd comply.”

Political Connections

The organization's head has publicly acknowledged his attempts to be closely connected with the US leader before the upcoming World Cup, set to be organized in 11 cities across the United States along with several in the northern neighbor and three in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has appeared at several presidential functions, had Trump deliver the FIFA club award after that tournament’s final, and has even delayed his FIFA's internal meeting to join Trump on a trip to the Middle East earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

Nevertheless, Trump from warning about the relocation of FIFA World Cup games from different locations. On September 25, the Washington city and San Francisco came under parallel statements, with Trump asserting both locations were “run by far-left extremists who don’t know what they are doing,” while questioning the security conditions of both areas and implying that matches could be relocated.

Official Rebuttal

Victor Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he reacted days later at a gathering in London.

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, the organization determines these matters,” he declared. “Respectfully to national heads, the sport is more important than them and the game will survive their tenure and their leadership. It's the beauty of our game, that it is transcends a single person and beyond any country.”

2028 Comments

During the event, Trump’s response to a query about the Massachusetts city included a similar threat regarding the LA Olympic event.

“In case I perceived the city was failing to be sufficiently organized, I'd shift it to an alternate venue if necessary,” Trump stated. “Regarding that event I’d probably have to secure a varying consent, but we will take that action.”

Official consent Trump alluded to would need to come through the IOC. Their president, Kirsty Coventry, was chosen to her role in spring and has yet to appear together with him, although she indicated that she would like a discussion with him at some point.

Further Comments

He also criticized Gavin Newsom’s handling of this year’s blazes, stating that a parallel incident could cause the relocation of the event.

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

His statement was just as clear for Boston.

“They must clean up their act,” he said. “It's I can say.”