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Donald Trump has once again stated he would urge FIFA to pull upcoming World Cup matches from a venue based on municipal governance, with Boston becoming the most recent such city to receive such statements from the American leader. Moreover, Trump suggested he would consider similar action against Southern California for the 2028 Olympics due to possible safety issues.

Legal Authority and Potential Influence

While Trump lacks direct legal authority to personally cancel either tournament, he can apply pressure the international organizations managing each tournament to change venues.

Background of Comments

These comments were made during a press event with Argentinian president Milei, who was visiting the White House following the revelation of a $20 billion rescue package for the Latin American nation. At the end of the gathering, a media member inquired Trump about a latest public disturbance in the city where police officers were assaulted and a police vehicle was set on fire. The journalist also wondered if the situation could result in the removal of hosting duties for the larger soccer tournament.

“I would take them away,” he remarked concerning the World Cup matches, set to be staged at the Massachusetts arena. “Their mayor is poor … she’s far-left, and activists are dominating parts of the city. That is a pretty big statement, right?”

Urban Disturbances and Ideological Perceptions

Public disruptions, a online-fueled occurrence where participants assemble on urban roads after dark to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have emerged as a frequent problem in US urban areas since the Covid-19 pandemic shutdowns. Latest such gatherings have escalated into violence in the region, specifically in downtown. Yet, these occurrences are usually not considered tied to any distinct political ideology.

“If someone is doing a bad job, and I feel exist security risks, I would call the organization's president, who is excellent, and suggest let’s move it to a different city,” the former president stated publicly. “He'd do that. He might not prefer doing it, but he'd agree. Very easily, he’d do it.”

Organizational Alignment

FIFA President has been open his efforts to be visibly associated with the US leader ahead of the upcoming World Cup, set to be organized in 11 cities across the America along with a couple in Canada and three in the southern neighbor. The head has participated at multiple White House events, facilitated Trump present the club tournament cup after the concluding game, and has even postponed his the group's assembly to travel with Trump on a trip to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

Despite this, Trump from threatening the cancellation of soccer matches from other US host cities. In late September, Seattle and San Francisco were similar statements, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “governed by far-left extremists who don’t know what they’re doing,” while challenging the public safety of both cities and implying that events could be relocated.

Organizational Statement

FIFA vice-president Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he commented afterward at a gathering in England.

“This is the organization's event, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes these matters,” he stated. “With all due respect to current world leaders, soccer is transcends them and football will survive their regime and their policies. That’s the essence of our game, that it is transcends one leader and beyond any country.”

2028 Comments

On Tuesday, Trump’s reply to a inquiry about the Massachusetts city veered into a similar threat regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“In case I thought Los Angeles was failing to be prepared properly, I'd relocate it to a different city as needed,” Trump stated. “Regarding that event I’d probably have to secure a alternative consent, but we would proceed.”

The permission Trump mentioned would need to come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The leader, Kirsty Coventry, was chosen to her post in spring and has not yet appear together with him, though she indicated that she would like a sit-down with Trump at some point.

Further Comments

The former president also criticized the state's leader Newsom’s response of this year’s blazes, stating that a parallel incident could result in the relocation of the Games.

“In case Newsom is uncooperative, we will have to be strict,” Trump said.

His statement was similarly clear for the Massachusetts city.

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