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Former President Trump has repeatedly announced he would urge FIFA to remove 2026 World Cup matches from a host city based on the local governance, with Massachusetts now being the third such city to face such statements from the American leader. Furthermore, Trump indicated he would contemplate similar action against LA for the upcoming Olympic Games due to perceived safety issues.

Jurisdictional Limits and Informal Leverage

While Trump does not have direct legal authority to directly relocate either tournament, he is able to lobby the international organizations in charge of each tournament to change locations.

Context of Remarks

His comments were made during a press event with Argentinian president Milei, who was present in the presidential residence following the announcement of a massive rescue package for the Latin American nation. At the end of the event, a media member asked Trump about a current public disturbance in the city where authorities were assaulted and a cruiser was burned. The correspondent also asked if these incidents could result in the loss of hosting duties for the 48-team soccer tournament.

“It's possible to take them away,” he said about the World Cup fixtures, scheduled to be staged at Gillette Stadium. “She is not good … they're far-left, and they are taking over sections of downtown. That’s a significant assertion, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Ideological Perceptions

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven occurrence where participants congregate on city streets late at night to perform stunts, have become a frequent nuisance in US urban areas since the coronavirus shutdowns. Latest such gatherings have escalated into violence in the region, specifically in Boston. Nevertheless, these gatherings are usually not seen as linked to any specific ideological group.

“In cases where a city is failing, and I perceive there are unsafe conditions, I will call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and say we should relocate it to an alternate venue,” Trump commented on Tuesday. “And he would do that. He wouldn’t love to do it, but he'd agree. Readily, he’d do it.”

FIFA Relationship

The organization's head has been open his strategies to be publicly aligned with Trump ahead of the 2026 event, planned to be staged in numerous American venues across the US along with several in the northern neighbor and a few in the southern neighbor. The FIFA president has been present at several presidential functions, facilitated Trump hand over the Club World Cup trophy after that tournament’s final, and has even postponed his own organization’s congress to join Trump on a journey to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

Nevertheless, Trump from threatening the relocation of World Cup matches from different locations. Recently, the Washington city and San Francisco came under parallel comments, with Trump claiming both cities were “run by far-left extremists who lack understanding what they’re doing,” while questioning the security conditions of both locales and claiming that events could be shifted.

Official Rebuttal

FIFA vice-president Montagliani rejected Trump’s claims when he commented afterward at a event in the UK capital.

“It’s the organization's event, under our authority, the organization determines those decisions,” Montagliani declared. “With all due respect to sitting presidents, soccer is bigger than political figures and soccer will endure their administration and their policies. That’s the beauty of our game, that it is more significant than any individual and more important than individual states.”

Olympics Threat

Similarly, Trump’s answer to a question about the Massachusetts city extended to a similar threat regarding the LA Olympic event.

“When I perceived the city was not going to be adequately ready, I'd move it to a different city if necessary,” he remarked. “For the Olympics I might have to obtain a varying approval, but we will do that.”

The permission Trump mentioned would need to come via the Olympic governing body. The president, the newly elected president, was chosen to her position in this year and has not yet hold a public appearance with Trump, but she stated that she hopes for a discussion with the US figure at eventually.

Further Comments

He also criticized California governor Newsom’s management of recent California fires, remarking that a similar situation could result in the relocation of the Olympics.

“When the governor doesn’t play ball, we’re gonna have to be firm,” he said.

The warning was equally direct for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston must clean up their act,” Trump stated. “That is I can say.”