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Donald Trump has once again announced he would influence FIFA to pull upcoming World Cup games from a designated city based on municipal governance, with Massachusetts becoming the latest targeted location to encounter such threats from the American leader. Moreover, Trump remarked he would contemplate comparable measures against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to perceived public safety risks.

Jurisdictional Limits and Possible Pressure

Although Trump lacks official jurisdiction to directly relocate either event, he may exert influence the respective governing bodies overseeing each competition to move locations.

Background of Comments

These comments were made during a press event with Javier Milei, who was present in the presidential residence following the announcement of a $20 billion bailout for the Latin American country. Toward the conclusion of the meeting, a reporter questioned Trump about a current unauthorized gathering in downtown Boston where authorities were assaulted and a patrol car was ignited. The journalist also wondered if the situation could cause the revocation of tournament responsibilities for the 48-team football competition.

“It's possible to take them away,” Trump stated concerning the soccer fixtures, set to be hosted at Gillette Stadium. “Their mayor is poor … she’s far-left, and activists are occupying parts of Boston. That is a major claim, right?”

Street Takeovers and Ideological Perceptions

Street takeovers, a digitally organized occurrence where participants congregate on city streets during nighttime to engage in dangerous driving, have emerged as a ongoing issue in American cities since the coronavirus restrictions. Latest similar events have turned violent in Massachusetts, specifically in Boston. Nevertheless, these gatherings are usually not considered associated with any particular ideological group.

“If a city is performing poorly, and I believe exist security risks, I would call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and say let’s move it to another location,” the former president commented publicly. “He'd do that. He wouldn’t love the action, but he would comply. Without hesitation, he would.”

Organizational Alignment

FIFA President has been open his efforts to be publicly aligned with Trump before the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to be staged in numerous American venues across the US along with two in the northern neighbor and multiple in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has participated at various Oval Office gatherings, arranged for Trump present the Club World Cup cup after that tournament’s final, and has even rescheduled his the group's assembly to accompany Trump on a trip to the Middle East earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

Nevertheless, Trump from suggesting the cancellation of soccer matches from different locations. On September 25, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis faced similar comments, with Trump stating both cities were “run by ideological activists who are clueless what they are doing,” while challenging the safety level of both areas and suggesting that events could be relocated.

Organizational Statement

Victor Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he reacted subsequently at a event in London.

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, under our authority, FIFA makes those decisions,” the vice-president said. “With all due respect to current world leaders, soccer is bigger than them and soccer will survive their tenure and their policies. That is the beauty of this sport, that it is bigger than one leader and beyond any country.”

2028 Comments

During the event, Trump’s reply to a question about the Massachusetts city veered into a comparable warning regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“If I thought LA was not adequately ready, I will shift it to an alternate venue as needed,” Trump stated. “On that one I’d probably have to obtain a varying permission, but we will take that action.”

The permission Trump mentioned would must come via the Olympic governing body. Their leader, the newly elected president, was selected to her post in spring and has not yet meet publicly with the former president, but she indicated that she hopes for a sit-down with him at some point.

Further Comments

Trump also condemned the state's leader Newsom’s management of this year’s LA wildfires, remarking that a parallel incident could lead to the removal of the Olympics.

“When he is uncooperative, we will have to be very tough,” the former president said.

The warning was just as direct for Boston.

“Boston better clean up their act,” he said. “That’s all my message.”