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Donald Trump has repeatedly announced he would urge FIFA to relocate global soccer tournament matches from a designated city based on the local governance, with Boston now being the latest targeted location to encounter such threats from the US president. Additionally, Trump remarked he would consider comparable measures against Los Angeles for the 2028 Summer Games due to possible safety issues.

Official Power and Informal Leverage

Even though Trump lacks official jurisdiction to directly relocate either tournament, he is able to apply pressure the organizing committees in charge of each competition to change locations.

Background of Comments

His statements were made during a press event with Argentinian president Milei, who was at the White House following the revelation of a massive bailout for the South American economy. At the conclusion of the event, a media member asked Trump about a latest “street takeover” in downtown Boston where law enforcement were attacked and a patrol car was set on fire. The correspondent also wondered if these incidents could result in the loss of tournament responsibilities for the expanded soccer tournament.

“We could take them away,” he stated about the World Cup fixtures, scheduled to be hosted at Gillette Stadium. “She is not good … they're far-left, and they are occupying sections of the city. That is a pretty big statement, right?”

Street Takeovers and Public Safety Concerns

Public disruptions, a social media-driven occurrence where participants assemble on public avenues during nighttime to perform stunts, have been a ongoing issue in US urban areas since the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Current such gatherings have escalated into violence in the state, including Boston. Yet, these occurrences are generally not considered linked to any specific partisan agenda.

“If someone is performing poorly, and I perceive exist unsafe conditions, I'd call Gianni [Infantino], who is excellent, and tell him it should be shifted to an alternate venue,” the former president said during the event. “He'd do that. He might not prefer to do it, but he would comply. Readily, he would.”

FIFA Relationship

Gianni Infantino has been open his strategies to be closely connected with Trump prior to the 2026 event, planned to be hosted in multiple US locations across the America along with several in Canada and three in Mexico. The head has appeared at multiple presidential functions, arranged for Trump hand over the Club World Cup cup after that tournament’s final, and has even rescheduled his FIFA's internal meeting to join Trump on a journey to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

This has not stopped, Trump from warning about the relocation of World Cup games from additional American venues. On September 25, Seattle and San Francisco faced comparable comments, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “run by ideological activists who lack understanding what they are doing,” while questioning the safety level of both locales and implying that games could be shifted.

FIFA Response

The organization's deputy Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s assertions when he responded days later at a gathering in England.

“This is the organization's event, FIFA’s jurisdiction, we decide those decisions,” he stated. “Politely to sitting presidents, soccer is more important than any individual and the game will survive their administration and their policies. That’s the strength of our game, that it is transcends any individual and bigger than a nation.”

2028 Comments

On Tuesday, Trump’s answer to a query about Boston included a parallel statement regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“In case I believed Los Angeles was not adequately ready, I will shift it to a different city if necessary,” Trump stated. “Regarding that event I might have to secure a different kind of permission, but we'd proceed.”

Official consent Trump alluded to would have to come through the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The president, Kirsty Coventry, was elected to her position in March and has yet to appear together with Trump, although she indicated that she would like a meeting with the US figure at some point.

Further Comments

He also condemned the state's leader Newsom’s handling of recent LA wildfires, stating that a parallel incident could result in the removal of the Olympics.

“In case the governor doesn’t play ball, we’re gonna have to be firm,” the former president commented.

His message was just as direct for Boston.

“The city better improve their situation,” he said. “It's my message.”