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Donald Trump has repeatedly announced he would urge FIFA to relocate 2026 World Cup games from a host city based on the local political climate, with the Boston region emerging as the latest urban area to receive such warnings from the American leader. Moreover, Trump indicated he would evaluate parallel steps against Los Angeles for the upcoming Olympic Games due to possible safety issues.

Legal Authority and Informal Leverage

Although Trump holds no formal power to personally cancel either event, he can exert influence the respective governing bodies in charge of each event to move host cities.

Setting for Statements

His statements were made during a media briefing with Argentina's leader Milei, who was present in the executive mansion following the revelation of a massive rescue package for the Argentine nation. Near the conclusion of the gathering, a media member questioned Trump about a latest public disturbance in the city where law enforcement were targeted and a patrol car was set on fire. The correspondent also wondered if these incidents could result in the loss of tournament responsibilities for the larger soccer tournament.

“It's possible to take them away,” the former president stated about the soccer fixtures, set to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “The city's leader is not good … she’s extremist, and they’re dominating parts of Boston. It's a major claim, isn't it?”

Street Takeovers and Public Safety Concerns

Unauthorized gatherings, a online-fueled occurrence where large crowds gather on urban roads late at night to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have been a frequent issue in US urban areas since the lockdown closures. Latest such gatherings have become aggressive in the region, notably in Boston. Nevertheless, these events are typically not seen as associated with any distinct partisan agenda.

“In cases where someone is failing, and I perceive there are dangerous circumstances, I will call the organization's president, who is excellent, and say it should be shifted to a different city,” the former president stated on Tuesday. “He'd do that. He wouldn’t love the action, but he would comply. Very easily, he’d do it.”

Organizational Alignment

Gianni Infantino has publicly acknowledged his attempts to be publicly aligned with the former president prior to the 2026 event, set to be staged in numerous American venues across the US along with several in the northern neighbor and a few in Mexico. The organization's leader has participated at several White House functions, facilitated Trump hand over the FIFA club award after that tournament’s final, and has even postponed his FIFA's internal meeting to travel with Trump on a trip to the Middle East this year.

Previous Threats

Despite this, Trump from suggesting the removal of FIFA World Cup matches from additional American venues. In late September, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis came under similar comments, with Trump asserting both locations were “led by far-left extremists who are clueless what they're managing,” while challenging the safety level of both cities and implying that matches could be shifted.

FIFA Response

FIFA vice-president Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he reacted afterward at a conference in London.

“It is our competition, our responsibility, FIFA makes these matters,” the vice-president declared. “With all due respect to national heads, soccer is more important than any individual and soccer will endure their administration and their policies. That is the beauty of football, that it is transcends any individual and bigger than individual states.”

Olympics Threat

On Tuesday, Trump’s answer to a query about Boston included a parallel statement regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“In case I thought Los Angeles was failing to be prepared properly, I'd shift it to an alternate venue if I had to,” he remarked. “On that one I’d probably have to obtain a alternative approval, but we will proceed.”

Official consent Trump refers to would have to come via the IOC. The head, Kirsty Coventry, was chosen to her post in this year and has not yet meet publicly with the former president, but she said that she hopes for a meeting with the US figure at eventually.

Other Remarks

The former president also condemned California governor Newsom’s response of this year’s LA wildfires, remarking that a comparable scenario could lead to the relocation of the event.

“When Newsom is uncooperative, we will have to be firm,” he stated.

The warning was just as unambiguous for Boston.

“The city better clean up their act,” he remarked. “That is my message.”