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Former President Trump has yet again stated he would influence FIFA to pull global soccer tournament games from a designated city based on the local governance, with the Boston region becoming the latest targeted location to receive such warnings from the White House. Additionally, Trump indicated he would evaluate similar action against Los Angeles for the upcoming Olympic Games due to possible safety issues.

Official Power and Informal Leverage

Although Trump does not have formal power to personally cancel either tournament, he may lobby the international organizations in charge of each tournament to shift host cities.

Context of Remarks

The comments were made during a media briefing with Argentinian president Milei, who was visiting the presidential residence following the announcement of a multibillion-dollar bailout for the South American country. Toward the close of the event, a media member inquired Trump about a current public disturbance in Boston where authorities were targeted and a police vehicle was set on fire. The journalist also asked if these incidents could result in the revocation of tournament responsibilities for the larger football competition.

“We could take them away,” he said about the soccer fixtures, set to be staged at the Massachusetts arena. “Their mayor is poor … they're far-left, and they are occupying sections of downtown. That is a major assertion, don't you think?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a digitally organized occurrence where participants gather on urban roads during nighttime to perform stunts, have emerged as a frequent nuisance in metropolitan centers since the lockdown closures. Recent similar events have become aggressive in Massachusetts, specifically in downtown. Nevertheless, these occurrences are typically not regarded as tied to any specific partisan agenda.

“If a mayor is doing a bad job, and I feel exist security risks, I will call the FIFA head, who is phenomenal, and suggest let’s move it to a different city,” he commented publicly. “He'd do that. He might not prefer the action, but he'd agree. Very easily, he'd comply.”

Political Connections

Gianni Infantino has publicly acknowledged his strategies to be publicly aligned with the US leader ahead of next year’s tournament, planned to be organized in 11 cities across the United States along with a couple in Canada and multiple in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has appeared at various Oval Office functions, arranged for Trump deliver the club tournament cup after that tournament’s final, and has even delayed his FIFA's internal meeting to accompany Trump on a trip to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Nevertheless, Trump from warning about the relocation of soccer events from other US host cities. In late September, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis were similar statements, with Trump stating both cities were “run by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they’re doing,” while criticizing the security conditions of both areas and suggesting that games could be relocated.

Organizational Statement

FIFA vice-president Montagliani rejected Trump’s claims when he reacted afterward at a gathering in England.

“It is our competition, our responsibility, we decide these matters,” Montagliani stated. “Respectfully to current world leaders, football is bigger than any individual and soccer will endure their administration and their government. That is the essence of our game, that it is more significant than any individual and more important than a nation.”

LA Games Warning

On Tuesday, Trump’s reply to a query about the Massachusetts city included a similar threat regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“If I believed the city was failing to be prepared properly, I would relocate it to an alternate venue as needed,” he remarked. “For the Olympics I’d probably have to secure a varying consent, but we would do that.”

Any approval Trump alluded to would must come from the Olympic governing body. Their president, the newly elected president, was elected to her position in spring and has not yet hold a public appearance with Trump, although she said that she desires a meeting with the US figure at some point.

Other Remarks

Trump also criticized California governor Newsom’s response of recent California fires, remarking that a similar situation could result in the cancellation of the Games.

“When the governor doesn’t play ball, we will have to be strict,” Trump commented.

His statement was just as clear for the Massachusetts city.

“They should improve their situation,” he said. “That is my message.”