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Donald Trump has yet again declared he would pressure FIFA to remove 2026 World Cup matches from a host city based on municipal political climate, with Massachusetts now being the latest such city to encounter such threats from the American leader. Furthermore, Trump suggested he would contemplate comparable measures against LA for the upcoming Olympic Games due to possible security concerns.

Legal Authority and Informal Leverage

While Trump holds no direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either event, he may exert influence the respective governing bodies overseeing each competition to shift venues.

Background of Comments

His comments were made during a news conference with Argentina's leader Milei, who was visiting the presidential residence following the revelation of a massive rescue package for the Latin American country. Near the close of the meeting, a media member inquired Trump about a recent public disturbance in Boston where authorities were targeted and a cruiser was ignited. The journalist also asked if these incidents could cause the removal of hosting duties for the 48-team soccer tournament.

“It's possible to take them away,” Trump said about the FIFA World Cup fixtures, set to be held at the Foxborough venue. “She is poor … she’s radical left, and they are occupying sections of downtown. It's a pretty big claim, isn't it?”

Street Takeovers and Public Safety Concerns

Street takeovers, a social media-driven trend where groups of people gather on urban roads late at night to perform stunts, have emerged as a ongoing nuisance in US urban areas since the coronavirus restrictions. Current similar events have escalated into violence in Massachusetts, including Boston. However, these events are generally not considered associated with any specific political ideology.

“When someone is failing, and I feel there’s dangerous circumstances, I would call Gianni [Infantino], who is outstanding, and say it should be shifted to a different city,” Trump said publicly. “He'd do that. He wouldn’t love the action, but he'd agree. Readily, he’d do it.”

Organizational Alignment

FIFA President has made no secret his attempts to be publicly aligned with Trump before next year’s tournament, planned to be organized in 11 cities across the US along with a couple in the northern neighbor and multiple in the southern neighbor. The head has been present at various Oval Office events, facilitated Trump present the FIFA club trophy after the concluding game, and has even postponed his own organization’s congress to join Trump on a visit to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Despite this, Trump from warning about the cancellation of FIFA World Cup matches from other US host cities. Recently, Seattle and San Francisco faced similar criticism, with Trump stating both urban centers were “led by ideological activists who lack understanding what they’re doing,” while challenging the security conditions of both locales and suggesting that matches could be relocated.

FIFA Response

Victor Montagliani dismissed Trump’s assertions when he responded subsequently at a conference in England.

“It is the organization's event, under our authority, the organization determines such choices,” he said. “With all due respect to sitting presidents, soccer is bigger than them and football will endure their administration and their policies. That’s the strength of football, that it is transcends any individual and beyond any country.”

2028 Comments

Similarly, Trump’s reply to a query about the Massachusetts city extended to a similar threat regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“When I thought the city was failing to be prepared properly, I would relocate it to another location if I had to,” he said. “On that one I may have to obtain a varying approval, but we would do that.”

The permission Trump mentioned would need to come via the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The head, she, was selected to her role in spring and has yet to hold a public appearance with the former president, but she said that she would like a discussion with him at some point.

Further Comments

Trump also condemned the state's leader Newsom’s management of the California fires, saying that a parallel incident could cause the cancellation of the Olympics.

“In case he is uncooperative, we’re gonna have to be very tough,” Trump stated.

His statement was similarly clear for Boston.

“They must address these issues,” he remarked. “It's my message.”