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Former President Trump has once again stated he would urge FIFA to remove global soccer tournament matches from a host city based on that city's political climate, with Massachusetts emerging as the latest urban area to encounter such warnings from the US president. Furthermore, Trump remarked he would contemplate comparable measures against Los Angeles for the upcoming Olympic Games due to perceived public safety risks.

Official Power and Informal Leverage

While Trump lacks direct legal authority to personally cancel either competition, he is able to exert influence the international organizations in charge of each event to shift locations.

Setting for Statements

The comments were made during a media briefing with Javier Milei, who was visiting the presidential residence following the disclosure of a multibillion-dollar bailout for the South American country. Near the conclusion of the meeting, a media member inquired Trump about a current “street takeover” in the city where police officers were targeted and a patrol car was ignited. The reporter also wondered if such events could cause the loss of tournament responsibilities for the expanded football competition.

“I would take them away,” the former president stated about the World Cup matches, planned to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “The city's leader is not good … she’s extremist, and they are occupying parts of downtown. That is a significant assertion, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a online-fueled occurrence where large crowds gather on city streets late at night to engage in dangerous driving, have emerged as a frequent problem in US urban areas since the coronavirus shutdowns. Latest similar events have turned violent in Massachusetts, notably in Boston. However, these gatherings are usually not considered linked to any distinct political ideology.

“If a mayor is failing, and I believe exist unsafe conditions, I will call Gianni [Infantino], who is excellent, and suggest we should relocate it to an alternate venue,” the former president stated on Tuesday. “He will do that. He may not enjoy the action, but he'd agree. Very easily, he would.”

FIFA Relationship

FIFA President has publicly acknowledged his efforts to be visibly associated with Trump ahead of the 2026 event, planned to be organized in multiple US locations across the America along with a couple in Canada and three in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has appeared at several White House events, had Trump deliver the club tournament trophy after that tournament’s final, and has even delayed his the group's assembly to travel with Trump on a journey to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

This has not stopped, Trump from warning about the cancellation of World Cup matches from other US host cities. Recently, the Washington city and San Francisco faced similar statements, with Trump asserting both locations were “led by far-left extremists who are clueless what they are doing,” while challenging the security conditions of both cities and claiming that matches could be relocated.

Organizational Statement

Victor Montagliani rejected Trump’s claims when he reacted afterward at a event in England.

“It is the organization's event, our responsibility, we decide these matters,” Montagliani said. “Politely to national heads, football is bigger than any individual and the game will survive their regime and their government. That is the essence of our game, that it is transcends a single person and more important than individual states.”

LA Games Warning

Similarly, Trump’s response to a inquiry about the Massachusetts city included a similar threat regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“When I believed Los Angeles was not prepared properly, I would relocate it to an alternate venue if I had to,” Trump stated. “Regarding that event I might have to get a alternative consent, but we would take that action.”

Any approval Trump mentioned would have to come through the IOC. Their president, Kirsty Coventry, was chosen to her post in this year and has so far not appear together with Trump, but she said that she hopes for a sit-down with Trump at eventually.

Further Comments

The former president also questioned California governor Newsom’s response of this year’s California fires, remarking that a parallel incident could cause the removal of the Games.

“In case the governor doesn’t play ball, we will have to be very tough,” he commented.

His statement was equally unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“They better improve their situation,” he remarked. “It's I will say.”