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Donald Trump has repeatedly stated he would urge FIFA to relocate 2026 World Cup events from a designated city based on the local political climate, with Massachusetts becoming the third targeted location to face such threats from the White House. Moreover, Trump indicated he would evaluate comparable measures against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to possible security concerns.

Legal Authority and Informal Leverage

Although Trump lacks formal power to directly relocate either tournament, he can lobby the respective governing bodies overseeing each event to move host cities.

Context of Remarks

These comments were made during a press event with Argentinian president Milei, who was at the White House following the announcement of a multibillion-dollar financial assistance for the Latin American nation. Toward the end of the gathering, a media member asked Trump about a latest “street takeover” in the city where police officers were assaulted and a patrol car was burned. The reporter also questioned if the situation could lead to the revocation of hosting duties for the larger World Cup.

“I would take them away,” Trump remarked regarding the soccer fixtures, planned to be held at the Massachusetts arena. “Their mayor is not good … she’s radical left, and activists are taking over parts of Boston. That’s a significant claim, isn't it?”

Street Takeovers and Public Safety Concerns

Public disruptions, a social media-driven trend where groups of people assemble on urban roads during nighttime to perform stunts, have become a repeated issue in American cities since the Covid-19 pandemic shutdowns. Latest incidents have escalated into violence in the region, specifically in the city. Nevertheless, these occurrences are typically not considered tied to any particular partisan agenda.

“In cases where someone is doing a bad job, and I feel exist unsafe conditions, I will call the FIFA head, who is excellent, and suggest let’s move it to another location,” he commented publicly. “He'd do that. He might not prefer to do it, but he’d do it. Readily, he'd comply.”

FIFA Relationship

Gianni Infantino has publicly acknowledged his strategies to be publicly aligned with the former president prior to the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to be organized in numerous American venues across the United States along with a couple in the northern neighbor and multiple in Mexico. The organization's leader has appeared at multiple White House gatherings, arranged for Trump deliver the Club World Cup award after that tournament’s final, and has even postponed his own organization’s congress to join Trump on a visit to the Arab region previously.

Earlier Warnings

Nevertheless, Trump from warning about the relocation of FIFA World Cup matches from other US host cities. On September 25, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis faced similar statements, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “led by ideological activists who lack understanding what they are doing,” while questioning the public safety of both cities and implying that matches could be relocated.

Organizational Statement

The organization's deputy Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he commented days later at a event in London.

“This is the organization's event, our responsibility, we decide these matters,” he stated. “With all due respect to sitting presidents, football is more important than political figures and the game will survive their administration and their leadership. That is the beauty of our game, that it is more significant than any individual and bigger than any country.”

Olympics Threat

During the event, Trump’s reply to a question about Boston included a similar threat regarding the LA Olympic event.

“When I perceived LA was not going to be adequately ready, I'd shift it to another location as needed,” he remarked. “On that one I might have to secure a varying consent, but we would proceed.”

Any approval Trump mentioned would have to come via the Olympic governing body. The head, the newly elected president, was elected to her post in this year and has yet to meet publicly with the former president, although she stated that she hopes for a meeting with Trump at eventually.

Other Remarks

He also questioned California governor Newsom’s management of the LA wildfires, stating that a similar situation could result in the cancellation of the event.

“If he doesn’t play ball, we’re gonna have to be firm,” he commented.

His message was just as unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston must clean up their act,” he remarked. “That’s all my message.”