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Former President Trump has repeatedly announced he would pressure FIFA to remove upcoming World Cup matches from a designated city based on that city's political climate, with Massachusetts emerging as the most recent targeted location to receive such threats from the American leader. Furthermore, Trump indicated he would evaluate similar action against LA for the 2028 Summer Games due to perceived safety issues.

Jurisdictional Limits and Informal Leverage

Although Trump holds no official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either event, he may exert influence the international organizations in charge of each tournament to move venues.

Background of Comments

The remarks were made during a press event with Argentinian president Milei, who was visiting the presidential residence following the announcement of a massive rescue package for the Argentine economy. Toward the close of the gathering, a journalist questioned Trump about a latest unauthorized gathering in Boston where authorities were targeted and a police vehicle was set on fire. The reporter also asked if the situation could cause the revocation of tournament responsibilities for the larger football competition.

“It's possible to take them away,” Trump remarked regarding the FIFA World Cup games, set to be staged at the Foxborough venue. “The city's leader is ineffective … she’s far-left, and they are occupying areas of the city. That’s a pretty big statement, right?”

Urban Disturbances and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven occurrence where large crowds gather on city streets after dark to engage in dangerous driving, have become a repeated issue in US urban areas since the lockdown closures. Recent incidents have turned violent in Massachusetts, including downtown. Yet, these gatherings are usually not considered linked to any distinct political ideology.

“If someone is performing poorly, and I believe there are security risks, I will call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and tell him we should relocate it to an alternate venue,” he said on Tuesday. “He will do that. He wouldn’t love the action, but he would comply. Very easily, he’d do it.”

FIFA Relationship

FIFA President has publicly acknowledged his strategies to be closely connected with the former president prior to the upcoming World Cup, set to be organized in multiple US locations across the US along with a couple in Canada and a few in Mexico. The organization's leader has participated at various presidential events, facilitated Trump deliver the club tournament award after the concluding game, and has even rescheduled his the group's assembly to travel with Trump on a journey to the Middle East earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

This has not stopped, Trump from threatening the cancellation of soccer events from different locations. Recently, Seattle and San Francisco were parallel comments, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “governed by ideological activists who don’t know what they are doing,” while questioning the safety level of both areas and implying that games could be removed.

Official Rebuttal

The organization's deputy Montagliani dismissed Trump’s assertions when he commented afterward at a gathering in the UK capital.

“This is FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, we decide those decisions,” he said. “With all due respect to sitting presidents, soccer is bigger than political figures and soccer will outlast their administration and their government. That is the beauty of this sport, that it is more significant than any individual and more important than a nation.”

LA Games Warning

During the event, Trump’s reply to a inquiry about Boston extended to a comparable warning regarding the LA Olympic event.

“When I thought LA was not sufficiently organized, I'd relocate it to an alternate venue if I had to,” he said. “On that one I may have to obtain a alternative approval, but we will proceed.”

Official consent Trump refers to would have to come via the IOC. The leader, Kirsty Coventry, was selected to her position in March and has so far not hold a public appearance with the former president, but she stated that she hopes for a sit-down with him at some point.

Additional Criticism

Trump also condemned the state's leader Newsom’s management of recent LA wildfires, stating that a similar situation could result in the removal of the event.

“In case he refuses to cooperate, we will have to be firm,” the former president said.

The warning was similarly clear for the Massachusetts city.

“They better clean up their act,” he said. “It's my message.”