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Donald Trump has yet again stated he would influence FIFA to remove 2026 World Cup games from a venue based on municipal politics, with the Boston region becoming the third such city to face such statements from the US president. Moreover, Trump remarked he would contemplate comparable measures against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to possible public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Potential Influence

While Trump does not have direct legal authority to directly relocate either tournament, he is able to exert influence the respective governing bodies overseeing each tournament to move host cities.

Setting for Statements

The remarks were made during a media briefing with Javier Milei, who was present in the presidential residence following the disclosure of a multibillion-dollar bailout for the Latin American country. At the conclusion of the event, a media member questioned Trump about a current unauthorized gathering in Boston where law enforcement were assaulted and a police vehicle was set on fire. The correspondent also wondered if these incidents could cause the removal of tournament responsibilities for the 48-team World Cup.

“I would take them away,” he remarked regarding the World Cup games, set to be staged at Gillette Stadium. “The city's leader is poor … she’s radical left, and they are taking over areas of downtown. It's a major claim, don't you think?”

Street Takeovers and Ideological Perceptions

Street takeovers, a social media-driven trend where participants assemble on urban roads late at night to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have emerged as a repeated nuisance in US urban areas since the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Current such gatherings have become aggressive in the region, notably in the city. However, these gatherings are generally not regarded as linked to any specific partisan agenda.

“When someone is failing, and I feel there’s security risks, I'd call the FIFA head, who is outstanding, and suggest let’s move it to an alternate venue,” he stated on Tuesday. “He will do that. He may not enjoy the action, but he’d do it. Readily, he'd comply.”

Organizational Alignment

Gianni Infantino has made no secret his efforts to be publicly aligned with Trump prior to the 2026 event, set to be organized in 11 cities across the United States along with two in Canada and multiple in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has participated at various White House functions, arranged for Trump deliver the club tournament award after the concluding game, and has even rescheduled his FIFA's internal meeting to join Trump on a visit to the Middle East this year.

Previous Threats

Nevertheless, Trump from suggesting the removal of World Cup matches from other US host cities. Recently, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis were parallel comments, with Trump claiming both urban centers were “led by radical left lunatics who lack understanding what they're managing,” while criticizing the security conditions of both cities and suggesting that games could be relocated.

FIFA Response

FIFA vice-president Montagliani dismissed Trump’s claims when he responded subsequently at a event in the UK capital.

“It’s the organization's event, our responsibility, FIFA makes such choices,” the vice-president stated. “Politely to current world leaders, football is bigger than them and soccer will survive their tenure and their government. That is the essence of this sport, that it is more significant than any individual and beyond individual states.”

Olympics Threat

During the event, Trump’s response to a question about Boston included a comparable warning regarding the LA Olympic event.

“When I thought Los Angeles was not adequately ready, I'd shift it to an alternate venue if necessary,” he remarked. “For the Olympics I’d probably have to get a different kind of consent, but we will proceed.”

Official consent Trump mentioned would must come through the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their leader, Kirsty Coventry, was selected to her position in this year and has yet to appear together with the former president, although she indicated that she desires a discussion with the US figure at a future time.

Additional Criticism

The former president also condemned California governor Newsom’s response of the blazes, stating that a comparable scenario could result in the removal of the event.

“In case Newsom doesn’t play ball, we are going to have to be firm,” the former president commented.

The warning was similarly unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“The city should improve their situation,” he said. “That is I will say.”