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Former President Trump has repeatedly declared he would urge FIFA to relocate 2026 World Cup matches from a venue based on that city's politics, with the Boston region emerging as the third targeted location to encounter such threats from the American leader. Furthermore, Trump indicated he would consider similar action against Southern California for the 2028 Olympics due to possible public safety risks.

Official Power and Informal Leverage

Although Trump holds no direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either tournament, he is able to exert influence the international organizations overseeing each tournament to change host cities.

Context of Remarks

The remarks were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was present in the presidential residence following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar financial assistance for the South American country. Toward the conclusion of the gathering, a media member questioned Trump about a current “street takeover” in the city where police officers were attacked and a patrol car was set on fire. The correspondent also asked if such events could lead to the loss of tournament responsibilities for the larger soccer tournament.

“We could take them away,” he remarked concerning the soccer fixtures, set to be held at Gillette Stadium. “She is ineffective … she is far-left, and they are occupying parts of downtown. It's a significant assertion, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Ideological Perceptions

Unauthorized gatherings, a digitally organized phenomenon where participants assemble on city streets late at night to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have emerged as a frequent problem in American cities since the Covid-19 pandemic shutdowns. Recent similar events have escalated into violence in Massachusetts, notably in downtown. Nevertheless, these occurrences are generally not considered tied to any distinct partisan agenda.

“In cases where a mayor is performing poorly, and I perceive there are dangerous circumstances, I will call the organization's president, who is outstanding, and suggest let’s move it to another location,” he stated during the event. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy to do it, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he would.”

Political Connections

FIFA President has made no secret his efforts to be publicly aligned with the US leader before next year’s tournament, scheduled to be organized in numerous American venues across the America along with a couple in Canada and multiple in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has participated at several White House events, facilitated Trump present the club tournament trophy after the championship match, and has even postponed his the group's assembly to join Trump on a visit to the Middle East this year.

Previous Threats

Nevertheless, Trump from warning about the removal of World Cup games from other US host cities. On September 25, Seattle and San Francisco faced comparable comments, with Trump claiming both locations were “run by ideological activists who lack understanding what they’re doing,” while challenging the safety level of both locales and claiming that games could be shifted.

Official Rebuttal

The organization's deputy Montagliani dismissed Trump’s assertions when he reacted afterward at a gathering in England.

“It is FIFA’s tournament, under our authority, the organization determines such choices,” he stated. “Respectfully to current world leaders, the sport is bigger than political figures and football will outlast their tenure and their leadership. That is the strength of our game, that it is bigger than any individual and bigger than any country.”

2028 Comments

During the event, Trump’s response to a query about the Massachusetts city extended to a parallel statement regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“When I believed Los Angeles was not prepared properly, I'd relocate it to a different city if I had to,” he remarked. “On that one I might have to obtain a different kind of permission, but we will proceed.”

Official consent Trump refers to would have to come through the IOC. Their head, Kirsty Coventry, was selected to her position in this year and has so far not meet publicly with the former president, though she said that she would like a sit-down with him at a future time.

Other Remarks

He also criticized Gavin Newsom’s response of this year’s California fires, stating that a parallel incident could result in the relocation of the Olympics.

“When the governor refuses to cooperate, we are going to have to be firm,” he said.

His message was equally direct for the Massachusetts city.

“They better improve their situation,” he remarked. “It's I will say.”