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Ex-president Trump has repeatedly announced he would pressure FIFA to relocate upcoming World Cup matches from a host city based on the local political climate, with the Boston region becoming the third urban area to face such statements from the American leader. Additionally, Trump indicated he would contemplate comparable measures against LA for the 2028 Olympics due to possible safety issues.

Official Power and Possible Pressure

Even though Trump holds no direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either competition, he can lobby the organizing committees overseeing each event to move venues.

Background of Comments

His remarks were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was at the presidential residence following the announcement of a $20 billion bailout for the Latin American economy. At the conclusion of the event, a reporter inquired Trump about a latest “street takeover” in Boston where police officers were assaulted and a cruiser was set on fire. The reporter also asked if such events could cause the removal of tournament responsibilities for the expanded soccer tournament.

“We could take them away,” he remarked about the soccer games, planned to be held at Gillette Stadium. “The city's leader is poor … she’s far-left, and they’re taking over sections of the city. That’s a significant claim, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Ideological Perceptions

Street takeovers, a digitally organized occurrence where participants congregate on public avenues after dark to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have emerged as a ongoing issue in American cities since the lockdown shutdowns. Latest similar events have escalated into violence in Massachusetts, notably in the city. Nevertheless, these gatherings are usually not considered linked to any distinct ideological group.

“When someone is performing poorly, and I perceive exist dangerous circumstances, I would call Gianni [Infantino], who is excellent, and say let’s move it to a different city,” Trump said publicly. “He'd do that. He wouldn’t love doing it, but he'd agree. Very easily, he would.”

FIFA Relationship

Gianni Infantino has publicly acknowledged his strategies to be closely connected with the US leader before next year’s tournament, set to be hosted in multiple US locations across the United States along with two in the northern neighbor and multiple in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has been present at several presidential events, arranged for Trump present the Club World Cup trophy after the championship match, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to travel with Trump on a visit to the Arab region this year.

Earlier Warnings

Nevertheless, Trump from suggesting the cancellation of soccer events from different locations. Recently, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis faced parallel comments, with Trump claiming both cities were “governed by far-left extremists who don’t know what they’re doing,” while questioning the security conditions of both areas and claiming that matches could be relocated.

Organizational Statement

The organization's deputy Montagliani rejected Trump’s assertions when he reacted subsequently at a gathering in England.

“It is the organization's event, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions,” he declared. “Politely to sitting presidents, soccer is bigger than them and football will outlast their tenure and their policies. It's the beauty of football, that it is more significant than any individual and more important than individual states.”

Olympics Threat

On Tuesday, Trump’s answer to a query about the Massachusetts city included a comparable warning regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“In case I believed Los Angeles was not sufficiently organized, I will shift it to another location if necessary,” Trump stated. “On that one I’d probably have to obtain a varying approval, but we will proceed.”

Any approval Trump mentioned would have to come via the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their leader, Kirsty Coventry, was chosen to her position in spring and has yet to meet publicly with the former president, although she indicated that she desires a discussion with the US figure at eventually.

Further Comments

The former president also criticized the state's leader Newsom’s management of the LA wildfires, stating that a comparable scenario could cause the cancellation of the Olympics.

“When the governor doesn’t play ball, we’re gonna have to be very tough,” Trump stated.

His message was similarly direct for Boston.

“Boston should address these issues,” he said. “That’s all I can say.”