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Former President Trump has repeatedly stated he would pressure FIFA to remove global soccer tournament events from a host city based on municipal politics, with Massachusetts emerging as the most recent urban area to encounter such statements from the US president. Additionally, Trump indicated he would consider parallel steps against LA for the 2028 Olympics due to possible security concerns.

Official Power and Potential Influence

Even though Trump does not have direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either event, he can lobby the respective governing bodies in charge of each competition to change host cities.

Background of Comments

His remarks were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was at the executive mansion following the announcement of a massive bailout for the Argentine country. Toward the close of the meeting, a journalist questioned Trump about a current public disturbance in the city where law enforcement were attacked and a cruiser was set on fire. The journalist also asked if the situation could lead to the loss of hosting duties for the expanded World Cup.

“I would take them away,” he said concerning the FIFA World Cup matches, set to be staged at the Foxborough venue. “Their mayor is not good … she’s radical left, and activists are taking over parts of downtown. That’s a major statement, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Ideological Perceptions

Public disruptions, a social media-driven occurrence where participants congregate on urban roads during nighttime to engage in dangerous driving, have been a ongoing nuisance in US urban areas since the lockdown shutdowns. Latest similar events have escalated into violence in Massachusetts, specifically in Boston. However, these gatherings are usually not considered tied to any distinct ideological group.

“In cases where someone is doing a bad job, and I believe exist dangerous circumstances, I'd call the FIFA head, who is phenomenal, and say it should be shifted to an alternate venue,” Trump commented on Tuesday. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy to do it, but he'd agree. Very easily, he’d do it.”

Organizational Alignment

The organization's head has publicly acknowledged his attempts to be visibly associated with the former president before the 2026 event, set to be organized in multiple US locations across the United States along with two in the northern neighbor and three in Mexico. The organization's leader has been present at several Oval Office functions, had Trump deliver the FIFA club cup after the championship match, and has even rescheduled his FIFA's internal meeting to accompany Trump on a visit to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Past Statements

Despite this, Trump from suggesting the relocation of World Cup events from other US host cities. In late September, Seattle and San Francisco came under comparable comments, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “run by ideological activists who are clueless what they are doing,” while challenging the public safety of both cities and claiming that games could be removed.

Organizational Statement

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

“It is the organization's event, under our authority, the organization determines such choices,” Montagliani declared. “Respectfully to sitting presidents, the sport is bigger than political figures and the game will endure their tenure and their government. That is the beauty of football, that it is more significant than any individual and beyond individual states.”

2028 Comments

On Tuesday, Trump’s answer to a inquiry about Boston veered into a parallel statement regarding the LA Olympic event.

“In case I believed LA was not sufficiently organized, I'd relocate it to a different city if necessary,” he said. “For the Olympics I may have to obtain a varying consent, but we will take that action.”

The permission Trump mentioned would need to come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The leader, she, was elected to her position in this year and has yet to meet publicly with Trump, although she said that she would like a sit-down with the US figure at eventually.

Other Remarks

Trump also questioned the state's leader Newsom’s response of this year’s LA wildfires, saying that a parallel incident could lead to the relocation of the Games.

“In case the governor refuses to cooperate, we are going to have to be strict,” the former president said.

The warning was similarly unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“They should clean up their act,” he said. “That is I will say.”