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Former President Trump has repeatedly declared he would pressure FIFA to relocate upcoming World Cup events from a designated city based on municipal politics, with Massachusetts becoming the latest such city to face such threats from the US president. Additionally, Trump remarked he would consider parallel steps against Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics due to potential public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Potential Influence

While Trump does not have formal power to directly relocate either tournament, he may exert influence the organizing committees overseeing each competition to change locations.

Background of Comments

His remarks were made during a news conference with Argentina's leader Milei, who was present in the presidential residence following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar financial assistance for the Latin American economy. Toward the close of the gathering, a media member inquired Trump about a latest public disturbance in Boston where police officers were assaulted and a police vehicle was set on fire. The reporter also wondered if such events could result in the removal of hosting duties for the expanded soccer tournament.

“I would take them away,” the former president remarked concerning the World Cup matches, scheduled to be staged at the Massachusetts arena. “The city's leader is poor … she is far-left, and they’re dominating sections of the city. It's a pretty big assertion, isn't it?”

Street Takeovers and Public Safety Concerns

Street takeovers, a social media-driven phenomenon where large crowds congregate on public avenues after dark to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have emerged as a frequent nuisance in American cities since the coronavirus shutdowns. Recent such gatherings have turned violent in the region, specifically in downtown. However, these gatherings are generally not regarded as linked to any specific ideological group.

“If someone is doing a bad job, and I feel exist unsafe conditions, I would call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and tell him we should relocate it to another location,” he said during the event. “He'd do that. He might not prefer doing it, but he would comply. Readily, he would.”

FIFA Relationship

Gianni Infantino has been open his attempts to be closely connected with the US leader before next year’s tournament, scheduled to be hosted in 11 cities across the United States along with several in the northern neighbor and multiple in Mexico. The FIFA president has participated at multiple presidential functions, arranged for Trump present the club tournament award after that tournament’s final, and has even postponed his own organization’s congress to travel with Trump on a visit to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Despite this, Trump from warning about the relocation of FIFA World Cup events from additional American venues. In late September, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis came under parallel statements, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “run by radical left lunatics who lack understanding what they’re doing,” while questioning the public safety of both cities and implying that events could be removed.

Organizational Statement

The organization's deputy Montagliani dismissed Trump’s assertions when he commented subsequently at a event in London.

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, our responsibility, the organization determines these matters,” the vice-president stated. “Politely to current world leaders, soccer is transcends any individual and football will endure their tenure and their leadership. It's the essence of this sport, that it is more significant than any individual and bigger than any country.”

Olympics Threat

On Tuesday, Trump’s response to a query about the Massachusetts city included a comparable warning regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“If I thought LA was not sufficiently organized, I will relocate it to another location as needed,” he said. “For the Olympics I might have to secure a alternative permission, but we will do that.”

Official consent Trump refers to would need to come from the IOC. Their leader, Kirsty Coventry, was elected to her post in this year and has not yet appear together with the former president, though she indicated that she hopes for a sit-down with the US figure at eventually.

Additional Criticism

The former president also questioned the state's leader Newsom’s handling of the blazes, saying that a comparable scenario could result in the removal of the Olympics.

“If the governor is uncooperative, we will have to be strict,” the former president said.

His message was similarly unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“The city must clean up their act,” he said. “It's my message.”