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Donald Trump has repeatedly stated he would pressure FIFA to relocate upcoming World Cup matches from a designated city based on that city's governance, with Massachusetts becoming the most recent urban area to receive such threats from the American leader. Moreover, Trump suggested he would contemplate comparable measures against LA for the 2028 Olympics due to potential public safety risks.

Official Power and Informal Leverage

Even though Trump does not have official jurisdiction to personally cancel either competition, he may lobby the organizing committees overseeing each event to move venues.

Background of Comments

The statements were made during a press event with Javier Milei, who was visiting the White House following the revelation of a massive bailout for the Argentine nation. Toward the end of the meeting, a journalist inquired Trump about a recent public disturbance in the city where law enforcement were targeted and a patrol car was ignited. The reporter also asked if such events could lead to the revocation of organizing rights for the 48-team football competition.

“It's possible to take them away,” Trump stated about the soccer matches, planned to be held at Gillette Stadium. “Their mayor is ineffective … they're radical left, and they are taking over sections of Boston. It's a pretty big claim, right?”

Urban Disturbances and Political Context

Public disruptions, a social media-driven occurrence where groups of people congregate on city streets during nighttime to perform stunts, have been a repeated nuisance in US urban areas since the coronavirus closures. Latest such gatherings have escalated into violence in the state, including downtown. Yet, these gatherings are generally not seen as associated with any distinct ideological group.

“In cases where a city is doing a bad job, and I believe there are security risks, I'd call the organization's president, who is phenomenal, and suggest we should relocate it to a different city,” the former president stated during the event. “And he would do that. He might not prefer the action, but he would comply. Without hesitation, he'd comply.”

Organizational Alignment

Gianni Infantino has been open his efforts to be publicly aligned with the US leader ahead of next year’s tournament, scheduled to be hosted in multiple US locations across the US along with a couple in Canada and multiple in the southern neighbor. The head has participated at various Oval Office functions, had Trump present the club tournament cup after that tournament’s final, and has even postponed his the group's assembly to join Trump on a trip to the Middle East previously.

Past Statements

This has not stopped, Trump from warning about the cancellation of soccer events from other US host cities. On September 25, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis were comparable comments, with Trump stating both locations were “run by far-left extremists who don’t know what they’re doing,” while criticizing the safety level of both locales and claiming that games could be relocated.

FIFA Response

The organization's deputy Montagliani dismissed Trump’s claims when he responded afterward at a gathering in England.

“This is our competition, FIFA’s jurisdiction, the organization determines such choices,” he stated. “Politely to current world leaders, soccer is more important than them and the game will endure their regime and their government. It's the strength of this sport, that it is transcends one leader and bigger than a nation.”

Olympics Threat

Similarly, Trump’s response to a inquiry about Boston veered into a parallel statement regarding the LA Olympic event.

“When I perceived the city was not prepared properly, I would shift it to an alternate venue as needed,” he remarked. “On that one I may have to secure a varying approval, but we would proceed.”

The permission Trump alluded to would need to come from the Olympic governing body. The head, Kirsty Coventry, was selected to her post in this year and has yet to appear together with him, but she said that she hopes for a sit-down with the US figure at a future time.

Further Comments

He also criticized California governor Newsom’s response of this year’s LA wildfires, saying that a parallel incident could cause the cancellation of the Olympics.

“In case Newsom is uncooperative, we will have to be very tough,” Trump commented.

The warning was equally unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston must improve their situation,” Trump stated. “It's my message.”