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Donald Trump has repeatedly announced he would urge FIFA to remove upcoming World Cup games from a host city based on that city's governance, with Boston emerging as the latest urban area to receive such threats from the American leader. Moreover, Trump remarked he would contemplate similar action against Southern California for the 2028 Olympics due to possible safety issues.

Legal Authority and Informal Leverage

Although Trump does not have official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either event, he is able to exert influence the international organizations managing each competition to shift locations.

Context of Remarks

These statements were made during a media briefing with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the presidential residence following the announcement of a multibillion-dollar bailout for the South American nation. Toward the close of the meeting, a journalist inquired Trump about a recent “street takeover” in the city where police officers were assaulted and a police vehicle was burned. The correspondent also asked if such events could result in the loss of tournament responsibilities for the 48-team football competition.

“I would take them away,” Trump stated about the World Cup matches, set to be held at the Massachusetts arena. “She is poor … they're extremist, and they are dominating areas of Boston. That’s a major claim, isn't it?”

Street Takeovers and Public Safety Concerns

Public disruptions, a online-fueled trend where groups of people assemble on urban roads during nighttime to engage in dangerous driving, have become a repeated issue in American cities since the lockdown restrictions. Latest similar events have turned violent in the region, notably in Boston. Nevertheless, these occurrences are generally not regarded as linked to any distinct ideological group.

“In cases where a city is performing poorly, and I believe there’s unsafe conditions, I would call the FIFA head, who is phenomenal, and suggest let’s move it to an alternate venue,” he commented publicly. “And he would do that. He may not enjoy the action, but he'd agree. Very easily, he'd comply.”

Political Connections

Gianni Infantino has publicly acknowledged his strategies to be visibly associated with Trump prior to the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to be staged in 11 cities across the US along with several in the northern neighbor and three in Mexico. The head has participated at multiple Oval Office events, had Trump present the Club World Cup trophy after the concluding game, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to accompany Trump on a visit to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

Despite this, Trump from threatening the removal of soccer games from other US host cities. In late September, Seattle and San Francisco came under comparable criticism, with Trump claiming both urban centers were “governed by radical left lunatics who don’t know what they are doing,” while challenging the safety level of both areas and claiming that matches could be relocated.

Official Rebuttal

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

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes such choices,” he stated. “Politely to current world leaders, football is more important than political figures and football will survive their tenure and their government. That is the strength of this sport, that it is transcends any individual and beyond a nation.”

LA Games Warning

Similarly, Trump’s answer to a inquiry about Boston veered into a comparable warning regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“If I perceived Los Angeles was not prepared properly, I will shift it to an alternate venue if necessary,” he remarked. “On that one I may have to get a varying consent, but we will do that.”

Any approval Trump mentioned would have to come through the IOC. Their president, she, was elected to her role in spring and has so far not hold a public appearance with Trump, but she stated that she desires a discussion with the US figure at a future time.

Other Remarks

The former president also criticized the state's leader Newsom’s response of recent blazes, remarking that a similar situation could result in the removal of the event.

“In case the governor refuses to cooperate, we will have to be firm,” the former president commented.

The warning was just as unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston must improve their situation,” Trump stated. “That is my message.”