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Donald Trump has once again declared he would urge FIFA to relocate upcoming World Cup matches from a designated city based on that city's politics, with Boston emerging as the third targeted location to receive such threats from the White House. Additionally, Trump suggested he would contemplate parallel steps against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to perceived safety issues.

Official Power and Possible Pressure

Even though Trump lacks direct legal authority to directly relocate either event, he can lobby the international organizations overseeing each tournament to shift host cities.

Background of Comments

The comments were made during a media briefing with Argentinian president Milei, who was at the presidential residence following the announcement of a multibillion-dollar bailout for the Argentine nation. At the conclusion of the gathering, a journalist questioned Trump about a recent unauthorized gathering in Boston where authorities were attacked and a cruiser was ignited. The journalist also wondered if such events could result in the loss of hosting duties for the 48-team soccer tournament.

“I would take them away,” he remarked concerning the World Cup matches, set to be held at the Massachusetts arena. “Their mayor is not good … she is extremist, and activists are dominating parts of downtown. That is a pretty big assertion, isn't it?”

Urban Disturbances and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a online-fueled trend where participants congregate on urban roads during nighttime to engage in dangerous driving, have been a repeated nuisance in US urban areas since the coronavirus closures. Latest such gatherings have become aggressive in the region, notably in the city. Nevertheless, these occurrences are usually not considered linked to any specific partisan agenda.

“When a mayor is doing a bad job, and I feel there are unsafe conditions, I would call Gianni [Infantino], who is outstanding, and say we should relocate it to another location,” Trump commented on Tuesday. “He'd do that. He might not prefer to do it, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he'd comply.”

Political Connections

The organization's head has made no secret his strategies to be closely connected with the former president prior to the upcoming World Cup, planned to be hosted in multiple US locations across the US along with two in the northern neighbor and multiple in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has been present at various Oval Office functions, had Trump present the club tournament trophy after the concluding game, and has even rescheduled his FIFA's internal meeting to join Trump on a journey to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Despite this, Trump from warning about the removal of soccer matches from additional American venues. Recently, Seattle and San Francisco faced parallel criticism, with Trump stating both cities were “governed by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they are doing,” while criticizing the safety level of both areas and suggesting that events could be shifted.

Official Rebuttal

Victor Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s assertions when he reacted subsequently at a conference in England.

“It is the organization's event, under our authority, the organization determines those decisions,” he stated. “Politely to national heads, soccer is transcends them and football will outlast their tenure and their policies. That’s the beauty of football, that it is transcends one leader and beyond individual states.”

LA Games Warning

During the event, Trump’s answer to a query about Boston veered into a similar threat regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“When I believed LA was not adequately ready, I'd relocate it to a different city if necessary,” he remarked. “Regarding that event I’d probably have to obtain a varying approval, but we'd take that action.”

Official consent Trump mentioned would have to come via the IOC. Their head, she, was chosen to her position in March and has not yet appear together with him, although she stated that she hopes for a discussion with Trump at eventually.

Other Remarks

Trump also questioned the state's leader Newsom’s response of the California fires, remarking that a comparable scenario could lead to the removal of the Games.

“In case Newsom doesn’t play ball, we are going to have to be firm,” Trump said.

His message was just as direct for Boston.

“Boston should address these issues,” he remarked. “It's I will say.”