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Former President Trump has yet again declared he would urge FIFA to remove global soccer tournament events from a host city based on municipal politics, with the Boston region now being the third such city to receive such statements from the US president. Moreover, Trump suggested he would contemplate comparable measures against Southern California for the upcoming Olympic Games due to possible public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Possible Pressure

Although Trump lacks official jurisdiction to personally cancel either tournament, he may lobby the international organizations overseeing each event to move venues.

Background of Comments

The remarks were made during a press event with Argentina's leader Milei, who was visiting the presidential residence following the revelation of a $20 billion rescue package for the Latin American economy. Near the end of the event, a journalist questioned Trump about a latest public disturbance in downtown Boston where authorities were assaulted and a cruiser was ignited. The reporter also questioned if these incidents could cause the revocation of hosting duties for the larger soccer tournament.

“We could take them away,” Trump remarked concerning the soccer games, scheduled to be staged at the Foxborough venue. “The city's leader is ineffective … they're far-left, and they are dominating sections of the city. That is a significant assertion, right?”

Public Gatherings and Ideological Perceptions

Public disruptions, a digitally organized occurrence where groups of people assemble on city streets late at night to engage in dangerous driving, have been a frequent problem in American cities since the lockdown shutdowns. Latest such gatherings have become aggressive in the state, specifically in the city. However, these events are generally not seen as linked to any distinct partisan agenda.

“In cases where someone is failing, and I perceive exist unsafe conditions, I would call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and say let’s move it to another location,” the former president stated publicly. “He'd do that. He wouldn’t love the action, but he would comply. Very easily, he’d do it.”

Organizational Alignment

The organization's head has publicly acknowledged his strategies to be publicly aligned with the former president prior to the 2026 event, set to be organized in multiple US locations across the America along with two in Canada and multiple in Mexico. The organization's leader has participated at various Oval Office gatherings, arranged for Trump present the club tournament cup after that tournament’s final, and has even postponed his FIFA's internal meeting to accompany Trump on a visit to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Nevertheless, Trump from warning about the relocation of soccer events from additional American venues. In late September, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis were parallel comments, with Trump asserting both locations were “run by far-left extremists who lack understanding what they are doing,” while criticizing the public safety of both cities and implying that games could be relocated.

Organizational Statement

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

“It is our competition, under our authority, FIFA makes these matters,” Montagliani stated. “Respectfully to current world leaders, the sport is more important than them and football will endure their tenure and their policies. It's the essence of this sport, that it is bigger than one leader and more important than individual states.”

Olympics Threat

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

“When I believed Los Angeles was failing to be adequately ready, I'd relocate it to an alternate venue if I had to,” he said. “For the Olympics I may have to secure a different kind of consent, but we'd proceed.”

The permission Trump refers to would need to come via the IOC. The president, she, was chosen to her role in March and has so far not hold a public appearance with the former president, but she stated that she desires a discussion with Trump at eventually.

Other Remarks

Trump also questioned Gavin Newsom’s management of the California fires, saying that a comparable scenario could result in the relocation of the event.

“If Newsom is uncooperative, we will have to be strict,” he commented.

His message was similarly clear for the Massachusetts city.

“The city should improve their situation,” Trump stated. “That’s all my message.”