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Donald Trump has once again declared he would pressure FIFA to pull 2026 World Cup matches from a designated city based on the local governance, with Boston becoming the third such city to encounter such statements from the White House. Additionally, Trump remarked he would consider similar action against LA for the upcoming Olympic Games due to potential safety issues.

Jurisdictional Limits and Potential Influence

Although Trump lacks official jurisdiction to personally cancel either tournament, he is able to apply pressure the international organizations managing each event to move venues.

Background of Comments

His remarks were made during a press event with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the presidential residence following the revelation of a massive financial assistance for the South American nation. Toward the end of the gathering, a media member questioned Trump about a recent “street takeover” in Boston where police officers were targeted and a cruiser was ignited. The journalist also asked if these incidents could lead to the loss of organizing rights for the expanded World Cup.

“We could take them away,” he stated about the World Cup games, set to be held at the Foxborough venue. “Their mayor is poor … she’s far-left, and they are dominating sections of the city. It's a pretty big statement, right?”

Urban Disturbances and Ideological Perceptions

Street takeovers, a online-fueled trend where participants gather on urban roads after dark to engage in dangerous driving, have emerged as a ongoing problem in metropolitan centers since the Covid-19 pandemic closures. Recent such gatherings have escalated into violence in the state, including Boston. Nevertheless, these gatherings are typically not considered associated with any particular ideological group.

“When a city is failing, and I perceive there are unsafe conditions, I'd call the organization's president, who is outstanding, and tell him we should relocate it to a different city,” he commented publicly. “He will do that. He might not prefer doing it, but he’d do it. Without hesitation, he’d do it.”

Organizational Alignment

FIFA President has made no secret his efforts to be publicly aligned with Trump prior to the upcoming World Cup, planned to be organized in 11 cities across the United States along with two in the northern neighbor and a few in Mexico. The FIFA president has appeared at several White House gatherings, arranged for Trump hand over the Club World Cup trophy after that tournament’s final, and has even postponed his FIFA's internal meeting to accompany Trump on a visit to the Arab region this year.

Earlier Warnings

Nevertheless, Trump from suggesting the removal of soccer games from different locations. On September 25, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis faced parallel criticism, with Trump claiming both urban centers were “run by ideological activists who are clueless what they’re doing,” while questioning the public safety of both areas and claiming that events could be removed.

Official Rebuttal

The organization's deputy Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s assertions when he reacted days later at a gathering in London.

“It is FIFA’s tournament, our responsibility, we decide those decisions,” he stated. “Politely to current world leaders, the sport is more important than any individual and soccer will outlast their administration and their policies. That is the beauty of football, that it is more significant than any individual and bigger than a nation.”

2028 Comments

Similarly, Trump’s answer to a query about Boston extended to a parallel statement regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“In case I thought the city was not prepared properly, I would relocate it to another location as needed,” he said. “Regarding that event I may have to secure a different kind of approval, but we would take that action.”

The permission Trump alluded to would need to come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their president, Kirsty Coventry, was chosen to her post in spring and has not yet meet publicly with him, although she stated that she would like a sit-down with Trump at some point.

Other Remarks

He also condemned Gavin Newsom’s response of this year’s LA wildfires, saying that a comparable scenario could cause the cancellation of the Olympics.

“In case he refuses to cooperate, we are going to have to be strict,” he commented.

His message was similarly unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston better address these issues,” he remarked. “That’s all I can say.”