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Ex-president Trump has repeatedly declared he would influence FIFA to pull 2026 World Cup matches from a host city based on the local politics, with Massachusetts emerging as the most recent such city to encounter such warnings from the American leader. Additionally, Trump remarked he would contemplate similar action against Southern California for the upcoming Olympic Games due to possible public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Possible Pressure

Even though Trump lacks direct legal authority to directly relocate either event, he can exert influence the organizing committees managing each competition to shift locations.

Setting for Statements

The remarks were made during a press event with Javier Milei, who was present in the executive mansion following the revelation of a massive rescue package for the South American economy. At the conclusion of the event, a journalist questioned Trump about a recent unauthorized gathering in downtown Boston where authorities were assaulted and a patrol car was burned. The correspondent also wondered if these incidents could lead to the revocation of tournament responsibilities for the larger football competition.

“I would take them away,” Trump said regarding the soccer fixtures, scheduled to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “She is poor … she is extremist, and they’re occupying sections of Boston. It's a significant statement, don't you think?”

Urban Disturbances and Ideological Perceptions

Street takeovers, a online-fueled phenomenon where large crowds gather on public avenues after dark to engage in dangerous driving, have been a repeated problem in US urban areas since the coronavirus shutdowns. Recent incidents have escalated into violence in the region, including the city. Yet, these occurrences are generally not regarded as tied to any distinct political ideology.

“When a mayor is doing a bad job, and I believe there are unsafe conditions, I will call the organization's president, who is excellent, and suggest we should relocate it to a different city,” he stated during the event. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy the action, but he’d do it. Without hesitation, he’d do it.”

Organizational Alignment

Gianni Infantino has publicly acknowledged his efforts to be visibly associated with the US leader prior to next year’s tournament, planned to be organized in numerous American venues across the America along with a couple in Canada and multiple in Mexico. The organization's leader has participated at multiple presidential gatherings, had Trump deliver the Club World Cup cup after the concluding game, and has even delayed his the group's assembly to travel with Trump on a trip to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Nevertheless, Trump from suggesting the removal of FIFA World Cup events from additional American venues. On September 25, the Washington city and San Francisco were parallel comments, with Trump claiming both cities were “governed by ideological activists who don’t know what they're managing,” while criticizing the security conditions of both areas and suggesting that events could be relocated.

Organizational Statement

The organization's deputy Montagliani dismissed Trump’s claims when he commented subsequently at a event in London.

“This is our competition, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes these matters,” the vice-president declared. “Politely to national heads, the sport is bigger than political figures and soccer will outlast their tenure and their leadership. That’s the essence of football, that it is bigger than a single person and bigger than individual states.”

LA Games Warning

Similarly, Trump’s response to a query about the Massachusetts city veered into a similar threat regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“When I believed Los Angeles was not going to be prepared properly, I will move it to a different city as needed,” he said. “Regarding that event I’d probably have to get a varying consent, but we'd do that.”

Any approval Trump mentioned would need to come from the IOC. The president, the newly elected president, was chosen to her position in March and has not yet meet publicly with Trump, although she indicated that she desires a meeting with the US figure at a future time.

Other Remarks

Trump also condemned Gavin Newsom’s handling of the LA wildfires, saying that a parallel incident could cause the removal of the event.

“In case he is uncooperative, we will have to be very tough,” Trump said.

The warning was equally direct for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston should clean up their act,” he remarked. “That is I will say.”