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Ex-president Trump has yet again stated he would influence FIFA to relocate upcoming World Cup games from a host city based on the local politics, with Massachusetts becoming the most recent targeted location to encounter such threats from the American leader. Furthermore, Trump indicated he would contemplate similar action against LA for the upcoming Olympic Games due to potential security concerns.

Jurisdictional Limits and Possible Pressure

While Trump does not have direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either tournament, he is able to apply pressure the international organizations in charge of each tournament to shift locations.

Background of Comments

His comments were made during a press event with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the executive mansion following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar financial assistance for the Argentine economy. Toward the end of the gathering, a reporter questioned Trump about a latest unauthorized gathering in Boston where law enforcement were targeted and a police vehicle was ignited. The reporter also wondered if these incidents could lead to the revocation of organizing rights for the expanded soccer tournament.

“We could take them away,” he remarked regarding the World Cup matches, set to be held at the Massachusetts arena. “The city's leader is ineffective … they're far-left, and they are dominating parts of the city. That’s a significant assertion, right?”

Urban Disturbances and Ideological Perceptions

Public disruptions, a online-fueled phenomenon where groups of people gather on public avenues late at night to perform stunts, have emerged as a frequent problem in American cities since the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Latest such gatherings have escalated into violence in the region, notably in Boston. Yet, these gatherings are typically not regarded as tied to any specific partisan agenda.

“In cases where a mayor is performing poorly, and I believe there’s unsafe conditions, I will call Gianni [Infantino], who is excellent, and say let’s move it to another location,” Trump commented publicly. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy the action, but he would comply. Very easily, he would.”

Political Connections

The organization's head has made no secret his strategies to be publicly aligned with Trump ahead of the 2026 event, scheduled to be hosted in numerous American venues across the United States along with two in Canada and three in the southern neighbor. The head has appeared at various presidential events, arranged for Trump hand over the club tournament award after that tournament’s final, and has even rescheduled his own organization’s congress to travel with Trump on a journey to the Arab region previously.

Past Statements

Nevertheless, Trump from threatening the cancellation of soccer events from additional American venues. On September 25, the Washington city and San Francisco faced similar statements, with Trump claiming both cities were “led by far-left extremists who are clueless what they are doing,” while questioning the safety level of both cities and implying that games could be removed.

Official Rebuttal

The organization's deputy Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s assertions when he commented afterward at a gathering in London.

“This is FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, the organization determines those decisions,” he stated. “Respectfully to sitting presidents, soccer is more important than them and football will survive their tenure and their leadership. That is the strength of our game, that it is bigger than one leader and more important than any country.”

Olympics Threat

During the event, Trump’s reply to a question about the Massachusetts city veered into a similar threat regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“If I thought Los Angeles was not going to be sufficiently organized, I will move it to a different city if I had to,” Trump stated. “For the Olympics I may have to secure a varying permission, but we would proceed.”

Any approval Trump alluded to would must come from the IOC. The head, Kirsty Coventry, was chosen to her role in March and has not yet hold a public appearance with the former president, although she said that she desires a sit-down with Trump at a future time.

Other Remarks

The former president also condemned Gavin Newsom’s management of recent California fires, saying that a parallel incident could lead to the cancellation of the event.

“When he doesn’t play ball, we’re gonna have to be very tough,” the former president commented.

The warning was just as direct for Boston.

“The city better clean up their act,” he remarked. “It's my message.”