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Donald Trump has once again declared he would influence FIFA to remove global soccer tournament events from a designated city based on the local political climate, with Boston becoming the latest such city to face such warnings from the American leader. Moreover, Trump indicated he would contemplate parallel steps against Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics due to potential security concerns.

Official Power and Potential Influence

Even though Trump holds no direct legal authority to directly relocate either tournament, he can exert influence the respective governing bodies overseeing each event to shift venues.

Background of Comments

These comments were made during a news conference with Argentina's leader Milei, who was present in the presidential residence following the announcement of a massive bailout for the Latin American nation. Toward the conclusion of the gathering, a reporter questioned Trump about a current “street takeover” in downtown Boston where law enforcement were targeted and a patrol car was burned. The journalist also questioned if the situation could cause the revocation of organizing rights for the larger soccer tournament.

“I would take them away,” the former president said about the soccer games, scheduled to be held at the Foxborough venue. “The city's leader is poor … she is radical left, and they are taking over sections of Boston. That’s a major assertion, isn't it?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a digitally organized trend where participants gather on urban roads after dark to perform stunts, have emerged as a repeated problem in metropolitan centers since the lockdown restrictions. Recent such gatherings have escalated into violence in the region, including Boston. However, these events are generally not considered linked to any particular partisan agenda.

“When a city is performing poorly, and I perceive exist dangerous circumstances, I will call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and suggest it should be shifted to another location,” he stated on Tuesday. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy the action, but he would comply. Readily, he would.”

FIFA Relationship

Gianni Infantino has publicly acknowledged his attempts to be closely connected with the US leader ahead of next year’s tournament, planned to be organized in 11 cities across the United States along with two in Canada and three in Mexico. The organization's leader has participated at various Oval Office events, arranged for Trump deliver the club tournament trophy after that tournament’s final, and has even postponed his the group's assembly to accompany Trump on a journey to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

Despite this, Trump from warning about the relocation of World Cup games from additional American venues. Recently, Seattle and San Francisco came under similar comments, with Trump asserting both cities were “run by radical left lunatics who don’t know what they’re doing,” while challenging the security conditions of both areas and claiming that matches could be relocated.

FIFA Response

FIFA vice-president Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he commented afterward at a gathering in London.

“It is the organization's event, under our authority, we decide such choices,” the vice-president said. “With all due respect to national heads, soccer is more important than any individual and football will outlast their administration and their leadership. It's the beauty of football, that it is more significant than any individual and more important than a nation.”

LA Games Warning

During the event, Trump’s answer to a question about Boston included a similar threat regarding the LA Olympic event.

“When I thought Los Angeles was failing to be adequately ready, I would relocate it to an alternate venue as needed,” he remarked. “For the Olympics I’d probably have to secure a alternative approval, but we'd proceed.”

Official consent Trump alluded to would need to come via the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The president, the newly elected president, was elected to her post in this year and has not yet hold a public appearance with him, but she stated that she desires a meeting with him at eventually.

Further Comments

The former president also questioned the state's leader Newsom’s management of the blazes, stating that a similar situation could result in the removal of the Olympics.

“If the governor is uncooperative, we are going to have to be strict,” he said.

His statement was equally unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

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