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Ex-president Trump has repeatedly stated he would influence FIFA to relocate upcoming World Cup matches from a venue based on that city's politics, with Massachusetts becoming the third such city to receive such threats from the White House. Moreover, Trump suggested he would evaluate parallel steps against LA for the 2028 Summer Games due to possible safety issues.

Legal Authority and Potential Influence

Although Trump holds no direct legal authority to personally cancel either competition, he is able to exert influence the international organizations in charge of each tournament to change locations.

Setting for Statements

His remarks were made during a press event with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the presidential residence following the disclosure of a $20 billion financial assistance for the South American nation. Near the close of the event, a reporter questioned Trump about a current public disturbance in the city where authorities were targeted and a cruiser was set on fire. The reporter also asked if the situation could cause the revocation of tournament responsibilities for the larger World Cup.

“It's possible to take them away,” the former president remarked about the FIFA World Cup matches, set to be held at the Foxborough venue. “Their mayor is poor … she’s far-left, and activists are dominating parts of the city. That is a significant statement, isn't it?”

Public Gatherings and Ideological Perceptions

Public disruptions, a digitally organized occurrence where large crowds gather on public avenues late at night to perform stunts, have emerged as a frequent problem in metropolitan centers since the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Latest similar events have escalated into violence in the region, notably in Boston. Yet, these events are generally not seen as tied to any particular ideological group.

“If a city is doing a bad job, and I feel there are security risks, I'd call the organization's president, who is phenomenal, and say it should be shifted to an alternate venue,” Trump stated during the event. “He'd do that. He wouldn’t love doing it, but he’d do it. Readily, he’d do it.”

Organizational Alignment

Gianni Infantino has been open his efforts to be closely connected with Trump prior to next year’s tournament, scheduled to be hosted in multiple US locations across the United States along with a couple in Canada and a few in the southern neighbor. The FIFA president has been present at several Oval Office events, had Trump hand over the club tournament award after that tournament’s final, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to join Trump on a visit to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Nevertheless, Trump from threatening the removal of World Cup events from different locations. Recently, the Washington city and San Francisco were similar criticism, with Trump claiming both cities were “led by ideological activists who don’t know what they are doing,” while challenging the safety level of both cities and suggesting that games could be relocated.

Organizational Statement

FIFA vice-president Montagliani dismissed Trump’s assertions when he commented subsequently at a event in London.

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, the organization determines those decisions,” the vice-president said. “Respectfully to sitting presidents, soccer is bigger than political figures and football will endure their tenure and their leadership. That’s the beauty of our game, that it is more significant than any individual and beyond individual states.”

Olympics Threat

During the event, Trump’s response to a query about Boston included a similar threat regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“If I perceived LA was not adequately ready, I'd move it to a different city if I had to,” he remarked. “Regarding that event I might have to get a alternative permission, but we would take that action.”

Any approval Trump alluded to would must come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their president, the newly elected president, was chosen to her post in spring and has not yet hold a public appearance with Trump, but she said that she hopes for a meeting with Trump at some point.

Further Comments

Trump also condemned Gavin Newsom’s handling of this year’s California fires, remarking that a comparable scenario could lead to the cancellation of the event.

“When the governor is uncooperative, we are going to have to be strict,” he stated.

The warning was just as direct for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston better address these issues,” Trump stated. “That is I will say.”