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Donald Trump has repeatedly stated he would urge FIFA to remove 2026 World Cup events from a venue based on the local politics, with Massachusetts emerging as the latest urban area to face such statements from the American leader. Additionally, Trump suggested he would evaluate comparable measures against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to possible public safety risks.

Jurisdictional Limits and Informal Leverage

While Trump holds no formal power to unilaterally remove either event, he may exert influence the respective governing bodies in charge of each tournament to move locations.

Setting for Statements

The statements were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was visiting the presidential residence following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar rescue package for the Latin American country. At the conclusion of the gathering, a journalist asked Trump about a latest public disturbance in downtown Boston where police officers were attacked and a police vehicle was burned. The reporter also wondered if the situation could lead to the revocation of organizing rights for the larger World Cup.

“I would take them away,” Trump stated regarding the FIFA World Cup fixtures, scheduled to be hosted at Gillette Stadium. “Their mayor is not good … she’s far-left, and they’re taking over sections of the city. That’s a major claim, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Ideological Perceptions

Unauthorized gatherings, a online-fueled occurrence where participants assemble on urban roads during nighttime to perform stunts, have become a repeated issue in American cities since the lockdown closures. Latest such gatherings have become aggressive in the region, including Boston. Nevertheless, these events are generally not seen as tied to any specific political ideology.

“If a mayor is performing poorly, and I believe there are unsafe conditions, I will call Gianni [Infantino], who is outstanding, and tell him let’s move it to another location,” Trump commented during the event. “He will do that. He wouldn’t love doing it, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he'd comply.”

Organizational Alignment

Gianni Infantino has publicly acknowledged his strategies to be publicly aligned with the former president prior to next year’s tournament, planned to be hosted in numerous American venues across the United States along with a couple in Canada and three in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has been present at several presidential gatherings, had Trump deliver the FIFA club trophy after the championship match, and has even delayed his FIFA's internal meeting to join Trump on a visit to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

Despite this, Trump from warning about the relocation of World Cup events from additional American venues. In late September, Seattle and San Francisco were similar statements, with Trump stating both urban centers were “led by radical left lunatics who don’t know what they are doing,” while challenging the security conditions of both cities and suggesting that events could be removed.

FIFA Response

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

“It is the organization's event, our responsibility, we decide those decisions,” he declared. “Politely to sitting presidents, soccer is bigger than political figures and soccer will outlast their tenure and their government. It's the strength of football, that it is transcends a single person and more important than a nation.”

LA Games Warning

During the event, Trump’s answer to a inquiry about the Massachusetts city veered into a parallel statement regarding the LA Olympic event.

“In case I perceived LA was failing to be adequately ready, I would move it to a different city if necessary,” he said. “Regarding that event I might have to obtain a different kind of consent, but we'd do that.”

The permission Trump mentioned would have to come through the Olympic governing body. The president, the newly elected president, was elected to her post in March and has so far not appear together with Trump, although she indicated that she would like a meeting with the US figure at a future time.

Further Comments

He also condemned California governor Newsom’s handling of recent California fires, stating that a parallel incident could cause the removal of the Olympics.

“If Newsom doesn’t play ball, we’re gonna have to be strict,” Trump stated.

His message was equally direct for Boston.

“The city better improve their situation,” he said. “That’s all I will say.”