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Former President Trump has once again announced he would urge FIFA to relocate global soccer tournament matches from a host city based on that city's governance, with Boston becoming the third such city to face such threats from the White House. Moreover, Trump indicated he would contemplate parallel steps against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to perceived security concerns.

Official Power and Informal Leverage

While Trump holds no official jurisdiction to directly relocate either tournament, he may apply pressure the international organizations managing each competition to move venues.

Context of Remarks

These statements were made during a media briefing with Argentina's leader Milei, who was present in the presidential residence following the announcement of a multibillion-dollar bailout for the Argentine nation. At the conclusion of the gathering, a media member asked Trump about a current unauthorized gathering in downtown Boston where authorities were attacked and a cruiser was set on fire. The correspondent also wondered if these incidents could lead to the revocation of hosting duties for the expanded soccer tournament.

“I would take them away,” the former president stated concerning the soccer games, scheduled to be hosted at Gillette Stadium. “Their mayor is ineffective … they're radical left, and they are dominating areas of downtown. It's a significant claim, isn't it?”

Public Gatherings and Ideological Perceptions

Unauthorized gatherings, a online-fueled phenomenon where groups of people assemble on public avenues after dark to engage in dangerous driving, have emerged as a ongoing problem in US urban areas since the Covid-19 pandemic closures. Current such gatherings have turned violent in Massachusetts, notably in Boston. However, these gatherings are typically not considered linked to any particular partisan agenda.

“When a city is performing poorly, and I perceive there’s unsafe conditions, I will call the organization's president, who is excellent, and say let’s move it to a different city,” he stated publicly. “He will do that. He may not enjoy the action, but he'd agree. Very easily, he’d do it.”

Political Connections

FIFA President has been open his attempts to be closely connected with the US leader ahead of the 2026 event, planned to be organized in multiple US locations across the United States along with a couple in the northern neighbor and multiple in the southern neighbor. The head has been present at several presidential events, arranged for Trump present the FIFA club award after the championship match, and has even rescheduled his FIFA's internal meeting to join Trump on a trip to the Arab region previously.

Past Statements

Nevertheless, Trump from warning about the removal of soccer events from other US host cities. In late September, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis were comparable comments, with Trump claiming both cities were “led by far-left extremists who lack understanding what they are doing,” while challenging the public safety of both locales and suggesting that matches could be shifted.

FIFA Response

FIFA vice-president Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s assertions when he commented days later at a event in the UK capital.

“It’s our competition, our responsibility, the organization determines such choices,” Montagliani said. “With all due respect to sitting presidents, the sport is transcends any individual and soccer will endure their tenure and their leadership. That’s the strength of this sport, that it is transcends one leader and beyond any country.”

LA Games Warning

On Tuesday, Trump’s reply to a query about Boston extended to a parallel statement regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“In case I perceived the city was failing to be prepared properly, I would move it to another location as needed,” he said. “On that one I’d probably have to obtain a alternative consent, but we will take that action.”

Any approval Trump alluded to would need to come from the IOC. The head, Kirsty Coventry, was chosen to her role in this year and has not yet hold a public appearance with him, but she said that she would like a sit-down with Trump at eventually.

Additional Criticism

The former president also condemned the state's leader Newsom’s management of this year’s California fires, saying that a parallel incident could cause the cancellation of the event.

“If he doesn’t play ball, we are going to have to be very tough,” Trump stated.

The warning was equally direct for the Massachusetts city.

“They should address these issues,” he said. “That is my message.”