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Ex-president Trump has once again stated he would urge FIFA to pull 2026 World Cup games from a designated city based on municipal politics, with Massachusetts becoming the latest urban area to receive such threats from the White House. Moreover, Trump suggested he would contemplate parallel steps against Los Angeles for the 2028 Summer Games due to potential security concerns.

Legal Authority and Possible Pressure

Even though Trump lacks official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either competition, he may apply pressure the international organizations overseeing each tournament to move locations.

Context of Remarks

His statements were made during a press event with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the executive mansion following the disclosure of a multibillion-dollar bailout for the Argentine economy. At the conclusion of the gathering, a media member inquired Trump about a recent unauthorized gathering in downtown Boston where authorities were targeted and a police vehicle was set on fire. The journalist also questioned if these incidents could result in the removal of organizing rights for the expanded soccer tournament.

“I would take them away,” Trump said about the World Cup matches, set to be held at Gillette Stadium. “Their mayor is not good … she’s radical left, and activists are occupying parts of the city. That’s a pretty big statement, isn't it?”

Urban Disturbances and Public Safety Concerns

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven occurrence where large crowds assemble on city streets late at night to perform stunts, have become a ongoing nuisance in American cities since the lockdown shutdowns. Latest similar events have escalated into violence in the state, including downtown. Yet, these events are typically not seen as linked to any distinct ideological group.

“When someone is doing a bad job, and I feel exist security risks, I'd call the FIFA head, who is outstanding, and tell him let’s move it to a different city,” the former president commented publicly. “And he would do that. He wouldn’t love doing it, but he’d do it. Very easily, he’d do it.”

Political Connections

The organization's head has publicly acknowledged his attempts to be closely connected with the US leader before next year’s tournament, set to be organized in 11 cities across the America along with a couple in the northern neighbor and multiple in the southern neighbor. The FIFA president has participated at multiple Oval Office events, arranged for Trump hand over the Club World Cup cup after that tournament’s final, and has even rescheduled his FIFA's internal meeting to join Trump on a trip to the Gulf states this year.

Previous Threats

Nevertheless, Trump from warning about the cancellation of FIFA World Cup games from additional American venues. In late September, the Washington city and San Francisco came under parallel statements, with Trump claiming both urban centers were “governed by ideological activists who lack understanding what they are doing,” while challenging the security conditions of both cities and implying that matches could be relocated.

Organizational Statement

FIFA vice-president Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s statements when he reacted afterward at a conference in the UK capital.

“It is our competition, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions,” the vice-president said. “Politely to current world leaders, football is more important than them and the game will outlast their administration and their government. That is the beauty of our game, that it is more significant than any individual and beyond any country.”

LA Games Warning

Similarly, Trump’s answer to a question about Boston extended to a parallel statement regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“If I perceived LA was not going to be adequately ready, I would relocate it to a different city as needed,” Trump stated. “On that one I may have to secure a alternative approval, but we would take that action.”

Any approval Trump alluded to would must come from the IOC. Their head, Kirsty Coventry, was selected to her post in March and has so far not meet publicly with him, although she stated that she desires a discussion with Trump at some point.

Further Comments

Trump also questioned California governor Newsom’s response of this year’s blazes, stating that a parallel incident could lead to the relocation of the event.

“In case he is uncooperative, we will have to be strict,” he said.

His message was equally direct for Boston.

“Boston must clean up their act,” Trump stated. “That is my message.”