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Donald Trump has repeatedly declared he would influence FIFA to relocate 2026 World Cup matches from a venue based on the local governance, with the Boston region now being the latest targeted location to encounter such warnings from the American leader. Furthermore, Trump suggested he would contemplate comparable measures against Southern California for the 2028 Olympics due to potential security concerns.

Legal Authority and Potential Influence

Although Trump holds no direct legal authority to directly relocate either tournament, he can exert influence the organizing committees in charge of each tournament to change host cities.

Background of Comments

His remarks were made during a press event with Argentinian president Milei, who was visiting the presidential residence following the announcement of a $20 billion rescue package for the South American economy. At the end of the gathering, a reporter inquired Trump about a recent “street takeover” in the city where police officers were assaulted and a patrol car was burned. The reporter also questioned if these incidents could result in the removal of organizing rights for the expanded football competition.

“It's possible to take them away,” Trump stated regarding the FIFA World Cup games, planned to be staged at Gillette Stadium. “Their mayor is poor … they're radical left, and activists are occupying areas of downtown. That is a pretty big claim, right?”

Public Gatherings and Public Safety Concerns

Street takeovers, a online-fueled phenomenon where participants assemble on urban roads after dark to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have become a repeated issue in metropolitan centers since the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Latest such gatherings have turned violent in the state, notably in downtown. Yet, these gatherings are usually not seen as tied to any particular political ideology.

“In cases where a city is failing, and I believe there are security risks, I'd call Gianni [Infantino], who is excellent, and suggest we should relocate it to a different city,” the former president stated publicly. “He'd do that. He might not prefer to do it, but he’d do it. Readily, he'd comply.”

Organizational Alignment

Gianni Infantino has made no secret his efforts to be closely connected with the former president prior to the upcoming World Cup, planned to be staged in numerous American venues across the United States along with several in the northern neighbor and multiple in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has participated at various White House functions, had Trump present the club tournament cup after the concluding game, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to accompany Trump on a journey to the Gulf states previously.

Earlier Warnings

Nevertheless, Trump from suggesting the removal of FIFA World Cup games from additional American venues. Recently, the Washington city and San Francisco came under comparable comments, with Trump asserting both locations were “led by ideological activists who lack understanding what they are doing,” while criticizing the security conditions of both locales and implying that games could be removed.

Official Rebuttal

Victor Montagliani dismissed Trump’s claims when he responded days later at a gathering in England.

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes such choices,” he said. “Respectfully to current world leaders, the sport is transcends them and football will outlast their regime and their leadership. That is the strength of this sport, that it is transcends any individual and beyond any country.”

LA Games Warning

Similarly, Trump’s answer to a query about Boston included a similar threat regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“If I perceived the city was not adequately ready, I will move it to an alternate venue if necessary,” Trump stated. “On that one I might have to secure a alternative approval, but we would take that action.”

Official consent Trump refers to would need to come from the Olympic governing body. Their leader, the newly elected president, was chosen to her post in March and has not yet hold a public appearance with him, but she stated that she desires a meeting with the US figure at some point.

Additional Criticism

He also questioned the state's leader Newsom’s management of this year’s California fires, stating that a comparable scenario could result in the relocation of the Games.

“When he refuses to cooperate, we will have to be strict,” the former president said.

The warning was equally unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“They better clean up their act,” he said. “It's my message.”