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Former President Trump has yet again declared he would influence FIFA to remove global soccer tournament matches from a venue based on municipal governance, with the Boston region becoming the latest urban area to encounter such statements from the US president. Additionally, Trump indicated he would contemplate comparable measures against Southern California for the 2028 Olympics due to perceived security concerns.

Legal Authority and Informal Leverage

Although Trump holds no official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either event, he may apply pressure the organizing committees overseeing each tournament to move venues.

Context of Remarks

His comments were made during a news conference with Javier Milei, who was visiting the presidential residence following the disclosure of a massive bailout for the Latin American economy. Toward the conclusion of the event, a media member questioned Trump about a latest unauthorized gathering in downtown Boston where police officers were assaulted and a police vehicle was burned. The reporter also asked if the situation could cause the revocation of organizing rights for the larger World Cup.

“I would take them away,” the former president remarked concerning the soccer games, planned to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “The city's leader is poor … she is far-left, and activists are taking over areas of the city. That’s a major assertion, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven occurrence where large crowds gather on public avenues late at night to perform stunts, have become a frequent nuisance in US urban areas since the lockdown shutdowns. Current such gatherings have turned violent in the region, notably in the city. Nevertheless, these gatherings are generally not considered associated with any specific partisan agenda.

“If a mayor is performing poorly, and I feel there are unsafe conditions, I'd call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and say we should relocate it to another location,” he stated on Tuesday. “And he would do that. He may not enjoy doing it, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he would.”

Political Connections

Gianni Infantino has been open his attempts to be publicly aligned with the former president prior to the 2026 event, planned to be organized in multiple US locations across the United States along with several in Canada and three in Mexico. The organization's leader has been present at several Oval Office gatherings, had Trump hand over the FIFA club trophy after the championship match, and has even delayed his FIFA's internal meeting to accompany Trump on a journey to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

This has not stopped, Trump from suggesting the relocation of soccer events from different locations. On September 25, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis were parallel statements, with Trump claiming both urban centers were “governed by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they’re doing,” while questioning the public safety of both cities and implying that matches could be shifted.

Organizational Statement

Victor Montagliani rejected Trump’s statements when he reacted afterward at a gathering in the UK capital.

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, under our authority, we decide these matters,” the vice-president declared. “Politely to current world leaders, football is bigger than political figures and the game will survive their administration and their policies. That’s the essence of football, that it is transcends a single person and more important than any country.”

LA Games Warning

During the event, Trump’s reply to a query about the Massachusetts city veered into a parallel statement regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“When I perceived Los Angeles was not prepared properly, I would shift it to an alternate venue if I had to,” Trump stated. “Regarding that event I may have to get a different kind of approval, but we will take that action.”

The permission Trump mentioned would need to come from the Olympic governing body. The president, she, was elected to her position in this year and has not yet hold a public appearance with the former president, but she indicated that she would like a meeting with him at some point.

Other Remarks

He also condemned the state's leader Newsom’s response of the California fires, remarking that a similar situation could cause the relocation of the Games.

“When Newsom doesn’t play ball, we’re gonna have to be strict,” Trump said.

His message was equally clear for Boston.

“Boston should improve their situation,” he said. “That is I will say.”