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Donald Trump has yet again declared he would urge FIFA to pull upcoming World Cup events from a designated city based on the local politics, with Massachusetts emerging as the latest such city to receive such threats from the US president. Moreover, Trump indicated he would consider parallel steps against LA for the 2028 Olympics due to perceived security concerns.

Official Power and Potential Influence

Even though Trump does not have direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either tournament, he may exert influence the respective governing bodies overseeing each event to change venues.

Setting for Statements

These statements were made during a news conference with Argentina's leader Milei, who was present in the executive mansion following the revelation of a massive bailout for the Argentine country. At the close of the event, a reporter questioned Trump about a latest public disturbance in the city where police officers were targeted and a patrol car was burned. The journalist also asked if such events could lead to the loss of hosting duties for the 48-team soccer tournament.

“It's possible to take them away,” he remarked regarding the FIFA World Cup fixtures, set to be hosted at the Foxborough venue. “The city's leader is not good … she is extremist, and they are occupying areas of downtown. That is a significant statement, right?”

Public Gatherings and Political Context

Street takeovers, a social media-driven trend where participants assemble on urban roads late at night to perform stunts, have been a ongoing issue in American cities since the lockdown closures. Latest incidents have turned violent in Massachusetts, specifically in downtown. Nevertheless, these occurrences are typically not considered tied to any distinct political ideology.

“In cases where a city is doing a bad job, and I believe there’s unsafe conditions, I will call the FIFA head, who is phenomenal, and suggest it should be shifted to a different city,” he said on Tuesday. “He will do that. He might not prefer doing it, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he would.”

Organizational Alignment

FIFA President has publicly acknowledged his efforts to be closely connected with the former president prior to the upcoming World Cup, planned to be hosted in multiple US locations across the US along with two in the northern neighbor and multiple in the southern neighbor. The head has participated at various White House gatherings, arranged for Trump present the FIFA club cup after the championship match, and has even rescheduled his FIFA's internal meeting to accompany Trump on a visit to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Past Statements

Despite this, Trump from suggesting the cancellation of World Cup matches from additional American venues. Recently, Seattle and San Francisco were comparable criticism, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “governed by ideological activists who lack understanding what they are doing,” while criticizing the security conditions of both cities and implying that matches could be removed.

Organizational Statement

Victor Montagliani dismissed Trump’s assertions when he commented afterward at a event in England.

“It is the organization's event, our responsibility, we decide these matters,” he said. “Politely to sitting presidents, soccer is bigger than political figures and the game will endure their regime and their policies. It's the strength of this sport, that it is bigger than a single person and bigger than individual states.”

Olympics Threat

Similarly, Trump’s answer to a query about Boston veered into a similar threat regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“In case I perceived Los Angeles was not sufficiently organized, I'd relocate it to a different city if necessary,” he remarked. “On that one I may have to secure a different kind of consent, but we will take that action.”

Official consent Trump mentioned would must come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The leader, the newly elected president, was elected to her post in spring and has not yet hold a public appearance with the former president, but she stated that she would like a sit-down with the US figure at a future time.

Additional Criticism

He also questioned the state's leader Newsom’s response of recent California fires, saying that a parallel incident could lead to the removal of the Olympics.

“In case he doesn’t play ball, we are going to have to be very tough,” he commented.

His statement was just as clear for Boston.

“Boston must improve their situation,” Trump stated. “That’s all my message.”