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Ex-president Trump has yet again declared he would pressure FIFA to pull upcoming World Cup games from a venue based on the local governance, with Massachusetts emerging as the latest targeted location to receive such warnings from the US president. Additionally, Trump indicated he would contemplate similar action against Los Angeles for the 2028 Summer Games due to possible public safety risks.

Jurisdictional Limits and Possible Pressure

Although Trump does not have direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either tournament, he may apply pressure the organizing committees overseeing each tournament to change host cities.

Background of Comments

The comments were made during a press event with Javier Milei, who was at the White House following the announcement of a $20 billion bailout for the South American economy. Toward the end of the gathering, a media member asked Trump about a latest public disturbance in the city where law enforcement were attacked and a police vehicle was ignited. The reporter also asked if the situation could cause the loss of organizing rights for the 48-team football competition.

“I would take them away,” the former president stated about the FIFA World Cup matches, set to be staged at Gillette Stadium. “Their mayor is not good … she’s extremist, and activists are occupying sections of Boston. That is a significant assertion, right?”

Street Takeovers and Ideological Perceptions

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven occurrence where large crowds congregate on city streets after dark to perform stunts, have been a ongoing issue in metropolitan centers since the coronavirus closures. Current incidents have become aggressive in the region, notably in the city. Yet, these gatherings are typically not regarded as tied to any distinct ideological group.

“When a mayor is failing, and I feel exist security risks, I'd call the FIFA head, who is phenomenal, and tell him let’s move it to another location,” Trump stated publicly. “He will do that. He wouldn’t love doing it, but he’d do it. Without hesitation, he would.”

Political Connections

The organization's head has made no secret his strategies to be closely connected with the former president prior to next year’s tournament, scheduled to be staged in multiple US locations across the America along with a couple in the northern neighbor and three in Mexico. The head has appeared at multiple White House gatherings, arranged for Trump present the Club World Cup award after the championship match, and has even delayed his FIFA's internal meeting to travel with Trump on a trip to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Nevertheless, Trump from threatening the removal of soccer matches from additional American venues. On September 25, the Washington city and San Francisco were similar criticism, with Trump claiming both urban centers were “governed by ideological activists who don’t know what they are doing,” while questioning the public safety of both locales and suggesting that matches could be removed.

Official Rebuttal

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

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, our responsibility, the organization determines such choices,” Montagliani declared. “Politely to sitting presidents, the sport is more important than them and the game will endure their administration and their leadership. It's the beauty of this sport, that it is more significant than a single person and beyond a nation.”

Olympics Threat

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

“If I perceived the city was not adequately ready, I'd shift it to a different city if I had to,” he remarked. “On that one I may have to obtain a alternative approval, but we will proceed.”

The permission Trump mentioned would have to come from the IOC. The head, Kirsty Coventry, was selected to her role in this year and has so far not meet publicly with the former president, although she said that she hopes for a meeting with Trump at eventually.

Further Comments

Trump also criticized the state's leader Newsom’s management of the California fires, stating that a similar situation could cause the removal of the Olympics.

“When the governor is uncooperative, we will have to be firm,” he stated.

His message was similarly direct for Boston.

“They must improve their situation,” Trump stated. “It's my message.”