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Ex-president Trump has yet again stated he would influence FIFA to remove upcoming World Cup games from a designated city based on municipal governance, with Massachusetts becoming the latest targeted location to face such statements from the US president. Furthermore, Trump suggested he would evaluate similar action against Southern California for the 2028 Olympics due to potential security concerns.

Jurisdictional Limits and Informal Leverage

While Trump holds no direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either competition, he can lobby the respective governing bodies in charge of each event to move venues.

Setting for Statements

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 financial assistance for the Argentine economy. Near the close of the gathering, a journalist inquired Trump about a recent unauthorized gathering in downtown Boston where police officers were attacked and a police vehicle was ignited. The reporter also wondered if the situation could lead to the loss of hosting duties for the 48-team football competition.

“I would take them away,” Trump said about the FIFA World Cup fixtures, planned to be hosted at the Foxborough venue. “She is poor … she’s far-left, and they are occupying parts of Boston. That is a major assertion, isn't it?”

Street Takeovers and Public Safety Concerns

Street takeovers, a digitally organized trend where large crowds assemble on city streets late at night to engage in dangerous driving, have become a repeated problem in American cities since the lockdown restrictions. Current such gatherings have escalated into violence in Massachusetts, notably in downtown. Yet, these gatherings are usually not considered tied to any distinct partisan agenda.

“When a city is doing a bad job, and I perceive there’s security risks, I will call Gianni [Infantino], who is outstanding, and tell him we should relocate it to a different city,” he commented on Tuesday. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy to do it, but he would comply. Readily, he’d do it.”

FIFA Relationship

The organization's head has made no secret his efforts to be publicly aligned with the former president before the upcoming World Cup, planned to be staged in multiple US locations across the US along with a couple in the northern neighbor and multiple in the southern neighbor. The head has appeared at multiple White House events, facilitated Trump deliver the FIFA club trophy after that tournament’s final, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to accompany Trump on a journey to the Middle East this year.

Past Statements

Nevertheless, Trump from threatening the cancellation of FIFA World Cup events from other US host cities. Recently, the Washington city and San Francisco faced similar criticism, with Trump stating both locations were “governed by ideological activists who are clueless what they are doing,” while challenging the public safety of both cities and claiming that matches could be removed.

FIFA Response

Victor Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he commented days later at a event in the UK capital.

“This is the organization's event, under our authority, FIFA makes those decisions,” Montagliani stated. “With all due respect to current world leaders, the sport is bigger than them and the game will endure their administration and their leadership. That’s the essence of this sport, that it is transcends any individual and more important than any country.”

LA Games Warning

During the event, Trump’s answer to a question about the Massachusetts city extended to a parallel statement regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“In case I perceived Los Angeles was not going to be adequately ready, I will move it to another location if I had to,” Trump stated. “Regarding that event I’d probably have to secure a alternative approval, but we'd do that.”

Official consent Trump alluded to would must come via the IOC. Their leader, the newly elected president, was selected to her post in March and has not yet appear together with the former president, but she said that she hopes for a discussion with him at eventually.

Other Remarks

He also criticized Gavin Newsom’s management of this year’s LA wildfires, stating that a parallel incident could lead to the removal of the Games.

“When the governor doesn’t play ball, we will have to be strict,” he commented.

His message was equally unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“The city better improve their situation,” Trump stated. “That is I will say.”