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Ex-president Trump has yet again declared he would influence FIFA to remove 2026 World Cup games from a venue based on municipal political climate, with Boston emerging as the most recent such city to face such statements from the American leader. Moreover, Trump suggested he would consider parallel steps against LA for the 2028 Summer Games due to potential security concerns.

Jurisdictional Limits and Potential Influence

While Trump does not have formal power to directly relocate either tournament, he is able to lobby the respective governing bodies overseeing each event to move host cities.

Background of Comments

These comments were made during a news conference with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the executive mansion following the revelation of a $20 billion financial assistance for the South American economy. Toward the end of the meeting, a journalist questioned Trump about a recent “street takeover” in Boston where authorities were assaulted and a patrol car was ignited. The reporter also questioned if such events could lead to the loss of organizing rights for the 48-team World Cup.

“It's possible to take them away,” the former president remarked concerning the soccer matches, set to be staged at Gillette Stadium. “The city's leader is poor … they're extremist, and they are occupying areas of downtown. That is a pretty big statement, right?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Public disruptions, a social media-driven trend where groups of people gather on urban roads after dark to perform stunts, have emerged as a frequent nuisance in American cities since the Covid-19 pandemic closures. Latest similar events have escalated into violence in the state, specifically in downtown. However, these gatherings are generally not seen as linked to any distinct political ideology.

“When a city is failing, and I perceive there are dangerous circumstances, I will call Gianni [Infantino], who is excellent, and suggest we should relocate it to an alternate venue,” the former president commented publicly. “He will do that. He might not prefer to do it, but he’d do it. Without hesitation, he’d do it.”

Organizational Alignment

The organization's head has made no secret his efforts to be publicly aligned with the US leader prior to the 2026 event, set to be staged in 11 cities across the America along with two in the northern neighbor and three in Mexico. The head has appeared at several White House functions, had Trump hand over the club tournament trophy after that tournament’s final, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to join Trump on a visit to the Gulf states previously.

Past Statements

Nevertheless, Trump from warning about the cancellation of FIFA World Cup games from additional American venues. Recently, the Washington city and San Francisco came under similar criticism, with Trump claiming both urban centers were “led by radical left lunatics who lack understanding what they’re doing,” while questioning the safety level of both cities and implying that events could be shifted.

Official Rebuttal

Victor Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s statements when he reacted subsequently at a conference in the UK capital.

“It is FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, the organization determines such choices,” Montagliani declared. “Respectfully to sitting presidents, soccer is bigger than any individual and the game will outlast their tenure and their leadership. That’s the beauty of our game, that it is transcends a single person and beyond any country.”

LA Games Warning

On Tuesday, Trump’s response to a question about Boston extended to a parallel statement regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“If I thought LA was failing to be prepared properly, I'd relocate it to a different city if necessary,” Trump stated. “Regarding that event I may have to secure a alternative permission, but we will do that.”

Any approval Trump refers to would must come through the IOC. The leader, the newly elected president, was selected to her role in March and has not yet hold a public appearance with him, although she indicated that she would like a sit-down with Trump at some point.

Further Comments

Trump also questioned the state's leader Newsom’s response of recent California fires, saying that a comparable scenario could cause the removal of the Games.

“If the governor is uncooperative, we’re gonna have to be strict,” the former president said.

His statement was just as unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“They must address these issues,” he remarked. “That’s all I will say.”