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Donald Trump has yet again announced he would influence FIFA to pull upcoming World Cup events from a venue based on municipal governance, with Massachusetts becoming the latest such city to face such warnings from the American leader. Furthermore, Trump remarked he would consider parallel steps against LA for the 2028 Olympics due to perceived security concerns.

Legal Authority and Potential Influence

Although Trump does not have official jurisdiction to personally cancel either competition, he can exert influence the international organizations in charge of each event to shift host cities.

Setting for Statements

His remarks were made during a press event with Argentinian president Milei, who was present in the White House following the disclosure of a $20 billion rescue package for the Argentine economy. Near the end of the meeting, a journalist questioned Trump about a current “street takeover” in Boston where authorities were attacked and a police vehicle was burned. The correspondent also questioned if such events could lead to the revocation of hosting duties for the 48-team World Cup.

“We could take them away,” he remarked concerning the World Cup games, set to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “The city's leader is poor … she is radical left, and activists are dominating areas of the city. That is a significant statement, right?”

Street Takeovers and Ideological Perceptions

Public disruptions, a digitally organized phenomenon where large crowds gather on public avenues late at night to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have become a repeated issue in American cities since the coronavirus shutdowns. Current incidents have turned violent in the state, including the city. Nevertheless, these events are generally not considered associated with any specific partisan agenda.

“In cases where a mayor is performing poorly, and I feel there are unsafe conditions, I will call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and tell him it should be shifted to another location,” Trump said publicly. “He'd do that. He wouldn’t love the action, but he’d do it. Readily, he'd comply.”

FIFA Relationship

Gianni Infantino has made no secret his attempts to be closely connected with Trump before the upcoming World Cup, planned to be hosted in 11 cities across the US along with several in Canada and a few in Mexico. The FIFA president has participated at multiple presidential events, arranged for Trump present the Club World Cup award after the championship match, and has even rescheduled his own organization’s congress to join Trump on a trip to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Past Statements

This has not stopped, Trump from suggesting the relocation of World Cup events from additional American venues. On September 25, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis faced similar criticism, with Trump stating both cities were “run by far-left extremists who are clueless what they’re doing,” while questioning the security conditions of both areas and suggesting that games could be removed.

FIFA Response

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

“This is FIFA’s tournament, our responsibility, we decide these matters,” the vice-president stated. “Politely to national heads, football is more important than political figures and football will endure their tenure and their government. It's the strength of football, that it is transcends one leader and more important than a nation.”

2028 Comments

During the event, Trump’s response to a query about the Massachusetts city extended to a comparable warning regarding the LA Olympic event.

“In case I perceived the city was not going to be adequately ready, I would relocate it to an alternate venue if I had to,” Trump stated. “On that one I’d probably have to obtain a different kind of consent, but we will take that action.”

Any approval Trump refers to would must come through the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The leader, the newly elected president, was elected to her position in spring and has not yet meet publicly with him, though she said that she would like a sit-down with Trump at some point.

Further Comments

He also questioned California governor Newsom’s handling of recent California fires, remarking that a parallel incident could lead to the cancellation of the Games.

“In case he refuses to cooperate, we are going to have to be strict,” Trump said.

The warning was just as clear for Boston.

“The city better improve their situation,” he said. “That is my message.”