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Donald Trump has once again announced he would pressure FIFA to remove 2026 World Cup matches from a host city based on that city's governance, with the Boston region becoming the latest targeted location to encounter such statements from the US president. Furthermore, Trump indicated he would contemplate parallel steps against LA for the 2028 Summer Games due to perceived safety issues.

Official Power and Possible Pressure

While Trump does not have formal power to unilaterally remove either competition, he is able to apply pressure the respective governing bodies managing each competition to change host cities.

Background of Comments

His remarks were made during a press event with Javier Milei, who was present in the executive mansion following the announcement of a multibillion-dollar rescue package for the Argentine economy. At the end of the meeting, a media member inquired Trump about a current unauthorized gathering in downtown Boston where law enforcement were attacked and a patrol car was set on fire. The correspondent also asked if these incidents could cause the revocation of tournament responsibilities for the 48-team World Cup.

“It's possible to take them away,” the former president said about the FIFA World Cup fixtures, planned to be staged at the Foxborough venue. “Their mayor is poor … she’s far-left, and they are dominating parts of downtown. That is a significant statement, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Political Context

Street takeovers, a social media-driven phenomenon where groups of people congregate on urban roads during nighttime to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have emerged as a ongoing nuisance in metropolitan centers since the coronavirus closures. Current such gatherings have escalated into violence in Massachusetts, specifically in the city. However, these gatherings are typically not considered tied to any specific ideological group.

“When a city is doing a bad job, and I feel exist unsafe conditions, I would call the organization's president, who is phenomenal, and say let’s move it to a different city,” he stated publicly. “He will do that. He may not enjoy the action, but he'd agree. Very easily, he'd comply.”

FIFA Relationship

The organization's head has been open his strategies to be visibly associated with Trump ahead of the 2026 event, planned to be staged in multiple US locations across the America along with a couple in Canada and a few in Mexico. The head has participated at multiple White House events, arranged for Trump present the Club World Cup cup after the concluding game, and has even postponed his the group's assembly to join Trump on a journey to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Past Statements

This has not stopped, Trump from warning about the removal of soccer games from other US host cities. On September 25, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis faced parallel statements, with Trump stating both urban centers were “governed by ideological activists who are clueless what they are doing,” while questioning the security conditions of both areas and claiming that events could be relocated.

Official Rebuttal

FIFA vice-president Montagliani dismissed Trump’s claims when he responded subsequently at a gathering in the UK capital.

“It is the organization's event, under our authority, FIFA makes such choices,” the vice-president declared. “Respectfully to sitting presidents, the sport is bigger than political figures and football will survive their tenure and their policies. That’s the strength of our game, that it is bigger than one leader and more important than individual states.”

LA Games Warning

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

“In case I perceived the city was failing to be sufficiently organized, I'd shift it to a different city if I had to,” he said. “Regarding that event I’d probably have to secure a varying approval, but we would take that action.”

Any approval Trump mentioned would must come via the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their leader, she, was chosen to her role in spring and has so far not meet publicly with him, although she indicated that she would like a sit-down with Trump at a future time.

Other Remarks

Trump also questioned Gavin Newsom’s response of this year’s blazes, remarking that a similar situation could result in the removal of the Games.

“In case Newsom refuses to cooperate, we will have to be firm,” he stated.

The warning was similarly unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“The city better clean up their act,” Trump stated. “That is I can say.”