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Donald Trump has yet again declared he would pressure FIFA to remove upcoming World Cup events from a host city based on the local political climate, with the Boston region now being the latest urban area to encounter such warnings from the White House. Additionally, Trump suggested he would contemplate comparable measures against Southern California for the upcoming Olympic Games due to perceived security concerns.

Legal Authority and Potential Influence

While Trump lacks direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either event, he may apply pressure the organizing committees in charge of each event to shift locations.

Setting for Statements

His remarks were made during a media briefing with Javier Milei, who was present in the White House following the announcement of a $20 billion rescue package for the Latin American country. Toward the close of the meeting, a media member asked Trump about a current unauthorized gathering in downtown Boston where law enforcement were attacked and a police vehicle was ignited. The reporter also questioned if such events could result in the revocation of hosting duties for the 48-team World Cup.

“We could take them away,” the former president stated concerning the FIFA World Cup fixtures, set to be staged at the Foxborough venue. “Their mayor is not good … she is radical left, and they’re dominating parts of downtown. That’s a significant statement, isn't it?”

Public Gatherings and Political Context

Street takeovers, a online-fueled occurrence where groups of people congregate on city streets late at night to perform stunts, have been a ongoing issue in American cities since the coronavirus restrictions. Current incidents have become aggressive in the state, notably in Boston. Yet, these events are typically not considered tied to any distinct partisan agenda.

“In cases where someone is doing a bad job, and I believe there’s security risks, I would call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and tell him let’s move it to another location,” he stated publicly. “And he would do that. He may not enjoy doing it, but he’d do it. Readily, he'd comply.”

Organizational Alignment

The organization's head has made no secret his efforts to be visibly associated with the US leader before next year’s tournament, scheduled to be organized in 11 cities across the United States along with a couple in Canada and multiple in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has participated at various White House gatherings, arranged for Trump hand over the FIFA club award after the championship match, and has even postponed his own organization’s congress to join Trump on a journey to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Past Statements

This has not stopped, Trump from warning about the cancellation of FIFA World Cup games from additional American venues. On September 25, the Washington city and San Francisco came under comparable comments, with Trump stating both locations were “led by far-left extremists who are clueless what they are doing,” while challenging the public safety of both cities and implying that matches could be relocated.

FIFA Response

FIFA vice-president Montagliani dismissed Trump’s assertions when he responded days later at a conference in England.

“This is FIFA’s tournament, under our authority, we decide these matters,” he declared. “With all due respect to national heads, soccer is bigger than political figures and the game will endure their regime and their policies. It's the essence of our game, that it is transcends any individual and beyond a nation.”

Olympics Threat

Similarly, Trump’s answer to a query about the Massachusetts city extended to a comparable warning regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“When I perceived the city was not going to be prepared properly, I'd move it to an alternate venue as needed,” he said. “Regarding that event I’d probably have to obtain a varying approval, but we will do that.”

Official consent Trump mentioned would must come from the Olympic governing body. Their leader, she, was chosen to her position in this year and has yet to appear together with Trump, though she indicated that she would like a sit-down with him at eventually.

Further Comments

He also questioned the state's leader Newsom’s handling of the California fires, saying that a comparable scenario could cause the removal of the event.

“When the governor doesn’t play ball, we are going to have to be firm,” he stated.

His message was similarly unambiguous for Boston.

“Boston better improve their situation,” he remarked. “It's my message.”