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Ex-president Trump has once again stated he would pressure FIFA to relocate 2026 World Cup matches from a host city based on municipal governance, with Boston emerging as the most recent urban area to receive such statements from the US president. Moreover, Trump remarked he would consider comparable measures against Southern California for the 2028 Olympics due to possible public safety risks.

Jurisdictional Limits and Possible Pressure

Although Trump holds no direct legal authority to personally cancel either event, he may exert influence the organizing committees in charge of each event to move locations.

Context of Remarks

These comments were made during a press event with Argentinian president Milei, who was present in the presidential residence following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar financial assistance for the Latin American economy. At the conclusion of the meeting, a media member questioned Trump about a current public disturbance in the city where law enforcement were attacked and a police vehicle was set on fire. The journalist also asked if these incidents could result in the loss of organizing rights for the expanded soccer tournament.

“We could take them away,” the former president remarked regarding the World Cup matches, scheduled to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “She is ineffective … she’s radical left, and they’re taking over parts of Boston. That’s a major statement, isn't it?”

Public Gatherings and Political Context

Public disruptions, a social media-driven trend where participants congregate on urban roads during nighttime to perform stunts, have been a ongoing issue in metropolitan centers since the Covid-19 pandemic closures. Recent incidents have turned violent in the region, specifically in downtown. Yet, these occurrences are usually not seen as associated with any specific ideological group.

“In cases where a city is performing poorly, and I believe there’s dangerous circumstances, I will call the organization's president, who is excellent, and suggest let’s move it to a different city,” the former president said publicly. “And he would do that. He may not enjoy the action, but he would comply. Without hesitation, he'd comply.”

FIFA Relationship

FIFA President has made no secret his strategies to be closely connected with the former president before the upcoming World Cup, set to be staged in multiple US locations across the America along with two in Canada and multiple in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has appeared at various presidential events, facilitated Trump hand over the Club World Cup trophy after that tournament’s final, and has even rescheduled his the group's assembly to accompany Trump on a trip to the Gulf states this year.

Past Statements

This has not stopped, Trump from threatening the cancellation of World Cup games from other US host cities. In late September, Seattle and San Francisco were similar statements, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “led by far-left extremists who lack understanding what they are doing,” while questioning the security conditions of both locales and claiming that events could be shifted.

Organizational Statement

Victor Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s assertions when he reacted days later at a gathering in London.

“It is our competition, our responsibility, we decide such choices,” he said. “Politely to national heads, football is bigger than them and soccer will endure their administration and their government. That’s the strength of this sport, that it is bigger than one leader and beyond individual states.”

Olympics Threat

Similarly, Trump’s response to a query about Boston extended to a similar threat regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“If I believed the city was not sufficiently organized, I'd move it to another location as needed,” he said. “On that one I may have to get a different kind of consent, but we'd do that.”

Official consent Trump alluded to would must come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The head, she, was selected to her position in this year and has not yet hold a public appearance with the former president, although she indicated that she desires a meeting with him at a future time.

Other Remarks

He also questioned the state's leader Newsom’s response of the California fires, stating that a comparable scenario could cause the cancellation of the Olympics.

“If he doesn’t play ball, we are going to have to be strict,” the former president commented.

The warning was similarly unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston better improve their situation,” he remarked. “That is I can say.”