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Ex-president Trump has once again stated he would influence FIFA to remove global soccer tournament events from a host city based on that city's political climate, with Boston now being the third urban area to encounter such warnings from the US president. Additionally, Trump suggested he would consider similar action against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to perceived safety issues.

Legal Authority and Informal Leverage

Even though Trump lacks direct legal authority to personally cancel either event, he can apply pressure the international organizations managing each competition to change venues.

Background of Comments

The comments were made during a press event with Argentina's leader Milei, who was present in the executive mansion following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar bailout for the Argentine economy. Toward the end of the event, a reporter inquired Trump about a latest public disturbance in downtown Boston where authorities were assaulted and a cruiser was ignited. The reporter also asked if these incidents could result in the removal of hosting duties for the larger World Cup.

“I would take them away,” Trump said regarding the FIFA World Cup games, set to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “She is not good … they're radical left, and activists are occupying areas of Boston. It's a major statement, don't you think?”

Urban Disturbances and Public Safety Concerns

Public disruptions, a digitally organized occurrence where large crowds congregate on city streets during nighttime to perform stunts, have been a repeated problem in American cities since the lockdown shutdowns. Current incidents have become aggressive in the state, specifically in downtown. Yet, these gatherings are generally not seen as tied to any particular ideological group.

“If a mayor is failing, and I believe there are unsafe conditions, I'd call the FIFA head, who is phenomenal, and suggest we should relocate it to a different city,” he stated publicly. “And he would do that. He wouldn’t love the action, but he'd agree. Very easily, he would.”

Political Connections

FIFA President has been open his attempts to be closely connected with the former president ahead of the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to be staged in 11 cities across the US along with several in the northern neighbor and multiple in Mexico. The FIFA president has participated at multiple Oval Office functions, had Trump hand over the FIFA club award after the concluding game, and has even rescheduled his FIFA's internal meeting to travel with Trump on a trip to the Middle East earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

This has not stopped, Trump from threatening the removal of soccer games from additional American venues. In late September, Seattle and San Francisco faced comparable comments, with Trump claiming both locations were “governed by ideological activists who don’t know what they're managing,” while criticizing the public safety of both cities and claiming that matches could be removed.

FIFA Response

Victor Montagliani rejected Trump’s statements when he commented afterward at a conference in London.

“It’s the organization's event, under our authority, the organization determines such choices,” he said. “Politely to sitting presidents, the sport is more important than political figures and soccer will survive their tenure and their government. It's the essence of football, that it is bigger than any individual and bigger than a nation.”

2028 Comments

During the event, Trump’s response to a question about Boston extended to a similar threat regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“When I thought the city was failing to be prepared properly, I would move it to another location if necessary,” he remarked. “Regarding that event I might have to secure a different kind of permission, but we would do that.”

The permission Trump refers to would need to come via the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The president, Kirsty Coventry, was selected to her role in this year and has yet to hold a public appearance with the former president, but she indicated that she desires a discussion with him at some point.

Other Remarks

He also criticized California governor Newsom’s response of the LA wildfires, saying that a comparable scenario could cause the cancellation of the Olympics.

“If Newsom refuses to cooperate, we’re gonna have to be very tough,” he stated.

The warning was similarly unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“The city must address these issues,” Trump stated. “That is my message.”