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Donald Trump has repeatedly stated he would pressure FIFA to relocate 2026 World Cup games from a designated city based on that city's governance, with the Boston region emerging as the most recent targeted location to encounter such threats from the White House. Furthermore, Trump suggested he would evaluate parallel steps against LA for the upcoming Olympic Games due to potential public safety risks.

Jurisdictional Limits and Informal Leverage

While Trump holds no formal power to directly relocate either tournament, he may lobby the international organizations overseeing each event to shift locations.

Setting for Statements

His comments were made during a press event with Javier Milei, who was at the White House following the disclosure of a $20 billion rescue package for the South American country. At the conclusion of the meeting, a reporter questioned Trump about a latest public disturbance in Boston where authorities were attacked and a patrol car was burned. The journalist also questioned if these incidents could lead to the loss of hosting duties for the 48-team World Cup.

“We could take them away,” the former president remarked regarding the FIFA World Cup matches, set to be held at the Foxborough venue. “Their mayor is not good … she is extremist, and activists are dominating sections of the city. That is a significant assertion, don't you think?”

Urban Disturbances and Ideological Perceptions

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven phenomenon where large crowds congregate on urban roads during nighttime to engage in dangerous driving, have become a ongoing issue in American cities since the coronavirus shutdowns. Recent such gatherings have turned violent in Massachusetts, specifically in downtown. However, these gatherings are generally not seen as associated with any distinct ideological group.

“If a city is performing poorly, and I feel there are security risks, I'd call the organization's president, who is phenomenal, and suggest it should be shifted to an alternate venue,” Trump said on Tuesday. “He'd do that. He might not prefer the action, but he would comply. Readily, he would.”

Organizational Alignment

Gianni Infantino has been open his efforts to be closely connected with the former president before the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to be hosted in multiple US locations across the America along with several in the northern neighbor and three in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has appeared at various presidential events, had Trump hand over the club tournament cup after the championship match, and has even rescheduled his own organization’s congress to join Trump on a visit to the Gulf states this year.

Past Statements

Nevertheless, Trump from suggesting the cancellation of FIFA World Cup games from other US host cities. In late September, Seattle and San Francisco were similar statements, with Trump asserting both cities were “run by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they’re doing,” while criticizing the security conditions of both locales and claiming that events could be relocated.

Organizational Statement

Victor Montagliani rejected Trump’s statements when he commented days later at a gathering in the UK capital.

“This is the organization's event, our responsibility, we decide such choices,” the vice-president said. “Respectfully to sitting presidents, the sport is bigger than political figures and football will endure their tenure and their policies. That’s the essence of our game, that it is more significant than a single person and bigger than individual states.”

LA Games Warning

During the event, Trump’s answer to a query about Boston veered into a similar threat regarding the LA Olympic event.

“In case I thought the city was not adequately ready, I will relocate it to another location as needed,” he said. “Regarding that event I’d probably have to secure a alternative permission, but we would take that action.”

Any approval Trump mentioned would need to come from the Olympic governing body. Their leader, the newly elected president, was selected to her position in March and has yet to meet publicly with him, although she stated that she desires a discussion with Trump at a future time.

Other Remarks

He also condemned Gavin Newsom’s handling of recent California fires, stating that a similar situation could lead to the cancellation of the Olympics.

“When he doesn’t play ball, we’re gonna have to be strict,” he stated.

His message was just as unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“They better clean up their act,” Trump stated. “It's I will say.”