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Donald Trump has once again stated he would influence FIFA to remove global soccer tournament matches from a venue based on that city's governance, with Massachusetts becoming the most recent urban area to face such warnings from the American leader. Furthermore, Trump suggested he would consider parallel steps against LA for the 2028 Summer Games due to perceived public safety risks.

Jurisdictional Limits and Informal Leverage

Even though Trump lacks official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either tournament, he is able to exert influence the respective governing bodies in charge of each competition to shift venues.

Background of Comments

These comments were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was at the White House following the disclosure of a $20 billion bailout for the Argentine country. Near the close of the meeting, a journalist questioned Trump about a recent public disturbance in Boston where police officers were targeted and a patrol car was set on fire. The reporter also asked if these incidents could result in the removal of hosting duties for the expanded football competition.

“We could take them away,” Trump stated concerning the FIFA World Cup games, scheduled to be staged at the Foxborough venue. “The city's leader is not good … she is extremist, and activists are occupying areas of the city. That is a pretty big claim, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Public Safety Concerns

Street takeovers, a social media-driven phenomenon where large crowds congregate on city streets late at night to engage in dangerous driving, have been a frequent problem in American cities since the coronavirus restrictions. Recent such gatherings have escalated into violence in the region, including the city. Nevertheless, these gatherings are typically not regarded as associated with any particular ideological group.

“If someone is failing, and I perceive there’s security risks, I'd call the organization's president, who is phenomenal, and say let’s move it to a different city,” Trump stated publicly. “He will do that. He might not prefer doing it, but he would comply. Readily, he would.”

FIFA Relationship

The organization's head has publicly acknowledged his attempts to be visibly associated with the US leader prior to next year’s tournament, planned to be staged in numerous American venues across the America along with two in Canada and a few in Mexico. The organization's leader has been present at various presidential functions, facilitated Trump hand over the Club World Cup trophy after the concluding game, and has even postponed his the group's assembly to travel with Trump on a visit to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

This has not stopped, Trump from warning about the cancellation of World Cup matches from other US host cities. In late September, the Washington city and San Francisco faced parallel statements, with Trump claiming both cities were “governed by ideological activists who are clueless what they're managing,” while questioning the public safety of both areas and suggesting that events could be shifted.

FIFA Response

Victor Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he responded subsequently at a conference in the UK capital.

“It is the organization's event, FIFA’s jurisdiction, we decide these matters,” the vice-president stated. “Politely to national heads, football is bigger than them and soccer will survive their tenure and their leadership. That is the essence of football, that it is transcends one leader and beyond a nation.”

2028 Comments

Similarly, Trump’s response to a inquiry about Boston included a similar threat regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“If I perceived LA was failing to be prepared properly, I would move it to a different city if I had to,” Trump stated. “Regarding that event I may have to secure a different kind of consent, but we'd take that action.”

The permission Trump refers to would need to come from the IOC. Their president, Kirsty Coventry, was chosen to her role in this year and has not yet appear together with Trump, although she said that she desires a sit-down with Trump at a future time.

Further Comments

He also condemned Gavin Newsom’s management of this year’s LA wildfires, saying that a similar situation could cause the relocation of the Games.

“If the governor doesn’t play ball, we’re gonna have to be firm,” he commented.

The warning was equally direct for the Massachusetts city.

“They must improve their situation,” Trump stated. “That is I will say.”