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Former President Trump has repeatedly stated he would pressure FIFA to remove global soccer tournament games from a venue based on the local political climate, with the Boston region emerging as the latest targeted location to face such threats from the White House. Additionally, Trump remarked he would contemplate similar action against Southern California for the 2028 Olympics due to perceived public safety risks.

Jurisdictional Limits and Informal Leverage

Although Trump holds no official jurisdiction to personally cancel either competition, he can lobby the respective governing bodies managing each tournament to change host cities.

Context of Remarks

His comments were made during a press event with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the presidential residence following the announcement of a multibillion-dollar rescue package for the Argentine economy. Toward the close of the meeting, a journalist questioned Trump about a recent unauthorized gathering in the city where police officers were attacked and a police vehicle was set on fire. The reporter also questioned if such events could result in the removal of tournament responsibilities for the larger football competition.

“I would take them away,” he said concerning the FIFA World Cup fixtures, planned to be hosted at the Foxborough venue. “She is ineffective … she’s far-left, and they’re occupying areas of Boston. That is a significant assertion, don't you think?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Street takeovers, a digitally organized phenomenon where participants congregate on public avenues during nighttime to perform stunts, have become a ongoing problem in metropolitan centers since the lockdown shutdowns. Current incidents have become aggressive in the region, notably in Boston. Nevertheless, these occurrences are typically not considered tied to any particular political ideology.

“If a city is performing poorly, and I perceive exist security risks, I will call the FIFA head, who is excellent, and suggest we should relocate it to an alternate venue,” the former president stated on Tuesday. “He will do that. He might not prefer doing it, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he would.”

FIFA Relationship

FIFA President has been open his efforts to be visibly associated with Trump before the 2026 event, planned to be staged in 11 cities across the America along with two in the northern neighbor and a few in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has participated at various Oval Office functions, arranged for Trump hand over the club tournament trophy after the championship match, and has even delayed his FIFA's internal meeting to join Trump on a journey to the Middle East earlier in 2025.

Past Statements

This has not stopped, Trump from warning about the relocation of soccer matches from additional American venues. Recently, Seattle and San Francisco faced parallel statements, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “run by radical left lunatics who lack understanding what they’re doing,” while criticizing the public safety of both locales and claiming that matches could be removed.

Official Rebuttal

Victor Montagliani rejected Trump’s assertions when he responded afterward at a event in England.

“It is FIFA’s tournament, our responsibility, FIFA makes those decisions,” he declared. “Respectfully to national heads, soccer is transcends political figures and football will survive their administration and their policies. That’s the essence of our game, that it is more significant than a single person and more important than any country.”

LA Games Warning

On Tuesday, Trump’s answer to a question about Boston veered into a parallel statement regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“In case I perceived Los Angeles was not sufficiently organized, I'd shift it to an alternate venue if necessary,” Trump stated. “For the Olympics I’d probably have to secure a varying consent, but we'd take that action.”

Any approval Trump mentioned would must come via the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their president, the newly elected president, was selected to her role in spring and has yet to appear together with him, although she indicated that she would like a discussion with Trump at eventually.

Further Comments

The former president also questioned California governor Newsom’s response of recent California fires, saying that a similar situation could lead to the removal of the Games.

“In case the governor refuses to cooperate, we will have to be strict,” the former president stated.

His message was just as unambiguous for Boston.

“Boston must clean up their act,” he remarked. “That is my message.”