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Former President Trump has once again declared he would pressure FIFA to remove global soccer tournament events from a designated city based on municipal political climate, with the Boston region now being the latest urban area to face such statements from the White House. Additionally, Trump remarked he would contemplate similar action against Southern California for the upcoming Olympic Games due to perceived security concerns.

Legal Authority and Possible Pressure

Even though Trump does not have direct legal authority to personally cancel either tournament, he is able to lobby the organizing committees overseeing each event to shift locations.

Setting for Statements

His comments were made during a media briefing with Argentinian president Milei, who was at the White House following the disclosure of a massive financial assistance for the Argentine country. Near the close of the gathering, a media member questioned Trump about a latest public disturbance in the city where law enforcement were targeted and a cruiser was burned. The journalist also asked if these incidents could lead to the removal of organizing rights for the larger soccer tournament.

“We could take them away,” he stated about the soccer games, scheduled to be hosted at Gillette Stadium. “Their mayor is ineffective … she is radical left, and activists are taking over areas of downtown. That’s a major statement, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Ideological Perceptions

Public disruptions, a social media-driven phenomenon where participants assemble on city streets during nighttime to engage in dangerous driving, have become a frequent issue in metropolitan centers since the lockdown restrictions. Recent such gatherings have turned violent in the region, including the city. Nevertheless, these gatherings are generally not regarded as tied to any distinct partisan agenda.

“If someone is failing, and I believe exist dangerous circumstances, I'd call Gianni [Infantino], who is excellent, and suggest it should be shifted to a different city,” Trump stated during the event. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy the action, but he would comply. Without hesitation, he'd comply.”

Political Connections

Gianni Infantino has publicly acknowledged his strategies to be publicly aligned with the former president ahead of next year’s tournament, planned to be hosted in numerous American venues across the America along with two in Canada and multiple in Mexico. The organization's leader has been present at various White House functions, had Trump deliver the FIFA club award after the championship match, and has even postponed his the group's assembly to travel with Trump on a visit to the Middle East earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

This has not stopped, Trump from warning about the removal of soccer events from different locations. In late September, Seattle and San Francisco were comparable statements, with Trump stating both urban centers were “led by radical left lunatics who don’t know what they're managing,” while questioning the security conditions of both cities and suggesting that matches could be shifted.

FIFA Response

Victor Montagliani rejected Trump’s statements when he commented afterward at a event in the UK capital.

“It is the organization's event, under our authority, FIFA makes these matters,” he stated. “With all due respect to current world leaders, soccer is bigger than political figures and soccer will endure their regime and their leadership. That’s the beauty of our game, that it is more significant than one leader and more important than a nation.”

Olympics Threat

On Tuesday, Trump’s answer to a query about the Massachusetts city included a comparable warning regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“If I thought Los Angeles was not going to be adequately ready, I will shift it to an alternate venue if I had to,” Trump stated. “For the Olympics I’d probably have to obtain a varying permission, but we'd proceed.”

Official consent Trump mentioned would need to come from the Olympic governing body. The head, she, was selected to her post in this year and has not yet appear together with Trump, but she indicated that she would like a discussion with him at a future time.

Further Comments

The former president also condemned California governor Newsom’s management of the LA wildfires, stating that a similar situation could result in the removal of the Games.

“When the governor refuses to cooperate, we will have to be strict,” Trump commented.

The warning was equally direct for the Massachusetts city.

“They should clean up their act,” he said. “That’s all my message.”