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Donald Trump has once again announced he would pressure FIFA to pull global soccer tournament games from a host city based on the local politics, with Massachusetts now being the latest targeted location to encounter such statements from the US president. Moreover, Trump suggested he would contemplate comparable measures against Los Angeles for the upcoming Olympic Games due to potential security concerns.

Jurisdictional Limits and Potential Influence

Although Trump holds no formal power to personally cancel either tournament, he is able to lobby the organizing committees managing each event to move venues.

Background of Comments

The statements were made during a media briefing with Argentinian president Milei, who was present in the presidential residence following the disclosure of a massive financial assistance for the Argentine country. Toward the conclusion of the event, a reporter asked Trump about a latest “street takeover” in the city where police officers were targeted and a police vehicle was ignited. The journalist also wondered if the situation could cause the loss of organizing rights for the larger soccer tournament.

“We could take them away,” the former president said regarding the soccer fixtures, planned to be hosted at the Foxborough venue. “Their mayor is not good … they're extremist, and activists are dominating sections of downtown. It's a significant claim, right?”

Urban Disturbances and Ideological Perceptions

Unauthorized gatherings, a online-fueled trend where participants congregate on city streets late at night to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have been a frequent nuisance in American cities since the Covid-19 pandemic shutdowns. Current similar events have turned violent in Massachusetts, including the city. However, these events are typically not considered associated with any distinct political ideology.

“When someone is failing, and I believe exist dangerous circumstances, I'd call the FIFA head, who is excellent, and tell him let’s move it to an alternate venue,” Trump stated during the event. “He'd do that. He wouldn’t love doing it, but he'd agree. Very easily, he would.”

Political Connections

Gianni Infantino has been open his attempts to be visibly associated with the former president ahead of the upcoming World Cup, planned to be staged in multiple US locations across the United States along with several in Canada and a few in the southern neighbor. The FIFA president has been present at various presidential gatherings, had Trump present the Club World Cup trophy after the championship match, and has even rescheduled his FIFA's internal meeting to travel with Trump on a journey to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

Despite this, Trump from warning about the cancellation of soccer events from other US host cities. In late September, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis came under comparable criticism, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “run by far-left extremists who don’t know what they are doing,” while questioning the security conditions of both cities and claiming that matches could be shifted.

Official Rebuttal

FIFA vice-president Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s assertions when he responded subsequently at a gathering in England.

“This is our competition, FIFA’s jurisdiction, we decide those decisions,” the vice-president stated. “Politely to current world leaders, the sport is transcends political figures and the game will outlast their regime and their policies. That’s the beauty of our game, that it is transcends one leader and more important than individual states.”

2028 Comments

During the event, Trump’s response to a question about Boston extended to a similar threat regarding the LA Olympic event.

“If I believed LA was not adequately ready, I would move it to a different city if necessary,” he remarked. “Regarding that event I’d probably have to get a varying consent, but we'd proceed.”

Official consent Trump alluded to would must come through the IOC. Their head, the newly elected president, was selected to her post in March and has so far not hold a public appearance with him, though she stated that she would like a meeting with Trump at eventually.

Other Remarks

Trump also criticized the state's leader Newsom’s management of recent blazes, remarking that a similar situation could result in the relocation of the event.

“When Newsom is uncooperative, we are going to have to be very tough,” he stated.

The warning was just as clear for Boston.

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