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Donald Trump has once again announced he would pressure FIFA to remove upcoming World Cup matches from a host city based on the local governance, with Boston becoming the third urban area to face such warnings from the US president. Moreover, Trump suggested he would evaluate comparable measures against Southern California for the upcoming Olympic Games due to perceived safety issues.

Jurisdictional Limits and Informal Leverage

Although Trump lacks official jurisdiction to directly relocate either competition, he may apply pressure the international organizations overseeing each event to shift venues.

Setting for Statements

The statements were made during a press event with Javier Milei, who was present in the presidential residence following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar financial assistance for the Latin American economy. Near the close of the gathering, a media member asked Trump about a current public disturbance in the city where police officers were assaulted and a patrol car was set on fire. The correspondent also questioned if these incidents could cause the removal of organizing rights for the 48-team football competition.

“I would take them away,” Trump remarked concerning the soccer matches, planned to be hosted at Gillette Stadium. “Their mayor is ineffective … she is extremist, and they’re taking over areas of the city. That’s a major statement, isn't it?”

Street Takeovers and Ideological Perceptions

Public disruptions, a online-fueled trend where groups of people gather on urban roads after dark to perform stunts, have become a ongoing issue in metropolitan centers since the coronavirus shutdowns. Latest such gatherings have escalated into violence in the state, including the city. Yet, these gatherings are usually not regarded as tied to any specific partisan agenda.

“In cases where a mayor is performing poorly, and I believe there are security risks, I'd call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and tell him it should be shifted to another location,” the former president said during the event. “And he would do that. He wouldn’t love the action, but he would comply. Very easily, he would.”

Political Connections

Gianni Infantino has publicly acknowledged his attempts to be visibly associated with the US leader ahead of the 2026 event, set to be hosted in 11 cities across the United States along with two in the northern neighbor and a few in Mexico. The FIFA president has been present at various Oval Office functions, had Trump hand over the FIFA club cup after the championship match, and has even postponed his the group's assembly to travel with Trump on a visit to the Gulf states previously.

Previous Threats

Nevertheless, Trump from suggesting the cancellation of soccer games from other US host cities. On September 25, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis faced parallel statements, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “governed by radical left lunatics who lack understanding what they're managing,” while challenging the public safety of both cities and implying that events could be removed.

Organizational Statement

The organization's deputy Montagliani dismissed Trump’s assertions when he commented afterward at a gathering in the UK capital.

“It is the organization's event, under our authority, FIFA makes these matters,” Montagliani stated. “With all due respect to current world leaders, soccer is bigger than any individual and the game will endure their regime and their government. That’s the beauty of this sport, that it is transcends one leader and more important than individual states.”

Olympics Threat

On Tuesday, Trump’s answer to a question about Boston veered into a similar threat regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“In case I believed LA was not sufficiently organized, I will move it to another location if necessary,” he said. “Regarding that event I’d probably have to get a different kind of consent, but we will do that.”

Official consent Trump mentioned would have to come via the Olympic governing body. The president, Kirsty Coventry, was elected to her post in spring and has so far not appear together with the former president, although she indicated that she hopes for a sit-down with the US figure at a future time.

Additional Criticism

He also condemned Gavin Newsom’s handling of recent blazes, saying that a comparable scenario could cause the removal of the event.

“If he doesn’t play ball, we’re gonna have to be very tough,” Trump said.

The warning was just as direct for the Massachusetts city.

“They better address these issues,” Trump stated. “That’s all I can say.”