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Former President Trump has once again declared he would influence FIFA to pull 2026 World Cup games from a venue based on municipal politics, with the Boston region becoming the most recent targeted location to receive such statements from the US president. Additionally, Trump suggested he would consider comparable measures against LA for the upcoming Olympic Games due to perceived safety issues.

Legal Authority and Possible Pressure

Although Trump holds no formal power to personally cancel either event, he may exert influence the respective governing bodies managing each tournament to change locations.

Setting for Statements

The comments were made during a press event with Javier Milei, who was at the presidential residence following the announcement of a massive rescue package for the Latin American country. Toward the conclusion of the gathering, a media member asked Trump about a latest “street takeover” in downtown Boston where authorities were attacked and a patrol car was burned. The correspondent also asked if these incidents could lead to the loss of tournament responsibilities for the 48-team football competition.

“We could take them away,” the former president said concerning the FIFA World Cup fixtures, set to be hosted at Gillette Stadium. “Their mayor is poor … she’s extremist, and activists are taking over parts of downtown. That’s a major assertion, don't you think?”

Urban Disturbances and Ideological Perceptions

Public disruptions, a digitally organized phenomenon where participants gather on city streets during nighttime to engage in dangerous driving, have become a frequent nuisance in metropolitan centers since the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Current similar events have turned violent in the state, including the city. However, these events are usually not seen as associated with any specific political ideology.

“When a mayor is doing a bad job, and I perceive there are unsafe conditions, I would call the FIFA head, who is excellent, and tell him let’s move it to an alternate venue,” the former president commented during the event. “And he would do that. He wouldn’t love doing it, but he'd agree. Readily, he'd comply.”

Political Connections

Gianni Infantino has been open his strategies to be visibly associated with the US leader ahead of the 2026 event, set to be hosted in multiple US locations across the United States along with a couple in the northern neighbor and three in the southern neighbor. The FIFA president has participated at multiple Oval Office events, arranged for Trump present the Club World Cup trophy after that tournament’s final, and has even rescheduled his the group's assembly to travel with Trump on a visit to the Middle East this year.

Earlier Warnings

This has not stopped, Trump from threatening the cancellation of soccer games from different locations. Recently, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis were comparable criticism, with Trump claiming both urban centers were “run by far-left extremists who lack understanding what they're managing,” while questioning the security conditions of both locales and suggesting that games could be shifted.

FIFA Response

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

“It’s the organization's event, under our authority, we decide those decisions,” the vice-president said. “Politely to national heads, football is transcends any individual and soccer will endure their tenure and their government. That’s the strength of football, that it is transcends a single person and more important than any country.”

LA Games Warning

On Tuesday, Trump’s answer to a query about Boston extended to a parallel statement regarding the LA Olympic event.

“In case I believed the city was not adequately ready, I'd shift it to another location if I had to,” he remarked. “Regarding that event I might have to secure a alternative approval, but we would proceed.”

The permission Trump mentioned would have to come through the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their leader, the newly elected president, was chosen to her position in spring and has so far not appear together with Trump, although she stated that she desires a sit-down with Trump at eventually.

Other Remarks

Trump also questioned California governor Newsom’s management of this year’s LA wildfires, stating that a comparable scenario could lead to the removal of the event.

“When he refuses to cooperate, we are going to have to be very tough,” the former president said.

His statement was just as direct for Boston.

“Boston must improve their situation,” he said. “That is I can say.”