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Donald Trump has yet again declared he would urge FIFA to remove upcoming World Cup games from a designated city based on municipal politics, with Massachusetts emerging as the most recent such city to encounter such warnings from the US president. Additionally, Trump remarked he would contemplate parallel steps against Southern California for the upcoming Olympic Games due to possible security concerns.

Official Power and Possible Pressure

While Trump holds no official jurisdiction to directly relocate either event, he can exert influence the international organizations managing each competition to move venues.

Background of Comments

The remarks were made during a media briefing with Argentina's leader Milei, who was present in the White House following the announcement of a multibillion-dollar rescue package for the Argentine country. At the conclusion of the meeting, a media member asked Trump about a latest unauthorized gathering in downtown Boston where authorities were assaulted and a police vehicle was ignited. The journalist also asked if such events could result in the removal of hosting duties for the larger soccer tournament.

“We could take them away,” he stated about the FIFA World Cup fixtures, planned to be hosted at the Foxborough venue. “The city's leader is poor … she is far-left, and they’re taking over sections of downtown. That is a major claim, right?”

Public Gatherings and Public Safety Concerns

Street takeovers, a online-fueled occurrence where large crowds congregate on public avenues after dark to engage in dangerous driving, have become a frequent issue in American cities since the Covid-19 pandemic closures. Current such gatherings have become aggressive in Massachusetts, including the city. However, these occurrences are generally not seen as linked to any distinct ideological group.

“If someone is failing, and I believe there are unsafe conditions, I'd call Gianni [Infantino], who is excellent, and tell him let’s move it to an alternate venue,” he said during the event. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy to do it, but he'd agree. Readily, he’d do it.”

Political Connections

Gianni Infantino has been open his efforts to be publicly aligned with Trump prior to the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to be hosted in numerous American venues across the US along with two in the northern neighbor and multiple in the southern neighbor. The head has appeared at various White House gatherings, facilitated Trump present the club tournament cup after the concluding game, and has even postponed his FIFA's internal meeting to accompany Trump on a journey to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Despite this, Trump from suggesting the relocation of soccer events from additional American venues. Recently, the Washington city and San Francisco faced parallel comments, with Trump claiming both cities were “governed by radical left lunatics who don’t know what they are doing,” while criticizing the safety level of both locales and claiming that matches could be shifted.

Organizational Statement

The organization's deputy Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s assertions when he commented subsequently at a event in England.

“It is FIFA’s tournament, under our authority, FIFA makes such choices,” Montagliani said. “Respectfully to sitting presidents, football is transcends political figures and the game will endure their tenure and their policies. It's the essence of this sport, that it is bigger than any individual and beyond any country.”

LA Games Warning

On Tuesday, Trump’s reply to a question about Boston included a comparable warning regarding the LA Olympic event.

“When I perceived LA was failing to be prepared properly, I will relocate it to an alternate venue if necessary,” he said. “For the Olympics I might have to obtain a varying permission, but we will proceed.”

Any approval Trump alluded to would need to come via the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their leader, Kirsty Coventry, was selected to her post in March and has not yet appear together with Trump, although she said that she would like a sit-down with Trump at some point.

Further Comments

He also criticized California governor Newsom’s handling of recent LA wildfires, saying that a parallel incident could cause the cancellation of the event.

“When he doesn’t play ball, we are going to have to be firm,” Trump said.

His message was just as clear for Boston.

“The city must address these issues,” he said. “That’s all I will say.”