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Ex-president Trump has yet again announced he would urge FIFA to remove 2026 World Cup games from a designated city based on that city's politics, with Boston now being the most recent such city to encounter such threats from the American leader. Furthermore, Trump remarked he would evaluate comparable measures against Southern California for the 2028 Olympics due to potential security concerns.

Legal Authority and Possible Pressure

While Trump lacks official jurisdiction to directly relocate either competition, he is able to apply pressure the organizing committees in charge of each competition to change venues.

Context of Remarks

The statements were made during a press event with Javier Milei, who was present in the executive mansion following the announcement of a massive rescue package for the Argentine nation. Toward the end of the gathering, a journalist asked Trump about a current public disturbance in downtown Boston where police officers were assaulted and a patrol car was set on fire. The reporter also asked if these incidents could cause the loss of hosting duties for the expanded football competition.

“We could take them away,” the former president said regarding the World Cup games, set to be held at Gillette Stadium. “The city's leader is not good … she is far-left, and activists are occupying parts of the city. It's a pretty big claim, isn't it?”

Urban Disturbances and Political Context

Street takeovers, a social media-driven trend where participants congregate on public avenues after dark to perform stunts, have been a frequent nuisance in US urban areas since the lockdown restrictions. Latest incidents have become aggressive in the region, notably in Boston. Nevertheless, these gatherings are typically not considered tied to any particular partisan agenda.

“If a city is doing a bad job, and I believe there’s security risks, I will call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and tell him we should relocate it to another location,” the former president stated during the event. “He'd do that. He might not prefer doing it, but he'd agree. Very easily, he would.”

Organizational Alignment

The organization's head has publicly acknowledged his attempts to be visibly associated with the former president before the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to be staged in numerous American venues across the United States along with several in Canada and multiple in Mexico. The organization's leader has participated at various presidential events, facilitated Trump deliver the club tournament trophy after the championship match, and has even delayed his FIFA's internal meeting to accompany Trump on a trip to the Middle East this year.

Past Statements

Despite this, Trump from suggesting the relocation of FIFA World Cup events from other US host cities. Recently, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis were similar criticism, with Trump stating both locations were “run by ideological activists who are clueless what they’re doing,” while criticizing the safety level of both cities and implying that games could be relocated.

Organizational Statement

Victor Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he responded subsequently at a event in London.

“It’s the organization's event, under our authority, FIFA makes these matters,” the vice-president declared. “Respectfully to current world leaders, soccer is more important than any individual and soccer will endure their tenure and their policies. That’s the beauty of this sport, that it is transcends any individual and more important than a nation.”

LA Games Warning

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

“If I believed the city was not going to be adequately ready, I would shift it to another location if necessary,” he remarked. “On that one I’d probably have to obtain a varying consent, but we would take that action.”

Any approval Trump mentioned would need to come via the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The head, Kirsty Coventry, was selected to her role in this year and has yet to hold a public appearance with Trump, although she said that she hopes for a discussion with Trump at some point.

Additional Criticism

The former president also condemned California governor Newsom’s response of the blazes, stating that a comparable scenario could lead to the relocation of the Games.

“If he is uncooperative, we will have to be firm,” Trump stated.

His message was similarly unambiguous for Boston.

“The city better improve their situation,” he said. “It's I can say.”