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Former President Trump has once again stated he would pressure FIFA to relocate upcoming World Cup games from a host city based on that city's governance, with Massachusetts now being the latest urban area to face such statements from the American leader. Additionally, Trump remarked he would evaluate parallel steps against Los Angeles for the 2028 Summer Games due to potential public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Potential Influence

Although Trump lacks formal power to directly relocate either event, he may exert influence the international organizations in charge of each competition to shift venues.

Setting for Statements

The comments were made during a press event with Argentinian president Milei, who was at the White House following the announcement of a multibillion-dollar financial assistance for the Latin American country. Near the conclusion of the event, a reporter questioned Trump about a recent “street takeover” in the city where authorities were targeted and a police vehicle was burned. The journalist also wondered if the situation could cause the revocation of hosting duties for the 48-team World Cup.

“I would take them away,” the former president remarked about the FIFA World Cup games, set to be staged at the Massachusetts arena. “Their mayor is not good … they're extremist, and activists are taking over areas of downtown. It's a major claim, right?”

Public Gatherings and Public Safety Concerns

Unauthorized gatherings, a online-fueled occurrence where participants gather on city streets after dark to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have become a repeated nuisance in American cities since the coronavirus shutdowns. Current such gatherings have escalated into violence in the state, including the city. Yet, these events are typically not considered linked to any particular political ideology.

“When a city is performing poorly, and I perceive there’s unsafe conditions, I'd call Gianni [Infantino], who is outstanding, and suggest we should relocate it to a different city,” the former president commented during the event. “He'd do that. He might not prefer the action, but he'd agree. Very easily, he'd comply.”

Organizational Alignment

FIFA President has publicly acknowledged his efforts to be publicly aligned with Trump ahead of the 2026 event, scheduled to be staged in 11 cities across the America along with two in the northern neighbor and a few in Mexico. The head has participated at various White House events, arranged for Trump present the FIFA club trophy after the championship match, and has even postponed his the group's assembly to accompany Trump on a visit to the Gulf states previously.

Previous Threats

Nevertheless, Trump from warning about the cancellation of World Cup events from additional American venues. In late September, Seattle and San Francisco came under parallel criticism, with Trump claiming both cities were “governed by ideological activists who are clueless what they're managing,” while criticizing the security conditions of both cities and implying that games could be relocated.

FIFA Response

FIFA vice-president Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he responded afterward at a gathering in the UK capital.

“It is our competition, under our authority, the organization determines those decisions,” Montagliani declared. “Respectfully to current world leaders, soccer is bigger than any individual and football will survive their tenure and their policies. It's the beauty of this sport, that it is more significant than a single person and beyond individual states.”

LA Games Warning

On Tuesday, Trump’s answer to a inquiry about the Massachusetts city included a parallel statement regarding the LA Olympic event.

“When I perceived LA was failing to be sufficiently organized, I'd move it to a different city if I had to,” Trump stated. “For the Olympics I’d probably have to get a alternative consent, but we would proceed.”

Official consent Trump mentioned would have to come via the IOC. The head, she, was selected to her role in March and has not yet appear together with the former president, though she stated that she desires a sit-down with the US figure at a future time.

Additional Criticism

He also criticized Gavin Newsom’s response of recent LA wildfires, stating that a similar situation could lead to the relocation of the event.

“In case Newsom is uncooperative, we’re gonna have to be very tough,” the former president stated.

His statement was equally direct for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston better clean up their act,” Trump stated. “It's my message.”