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Donald Trump has repeatedly announced he would influence FIFA to relocate 2026 World Cup events from a venue based on municipal political climate, with Massachusetts becoming the most recent targeted location to face such statements from the White House. Moreover, Trump remarked he would contemplate comparable measures against LA for the 2028 Olympics due to perceived public safety risks.

Official Power and Informal Leverage

Although Trump does not have direct legal authority to directly relocate either competition, he can apply pressure the organizing committees managing each tournament to shift host cities.

Background of Comments

The comments were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was at the presidential residence following the revelation of a massive bailout for the South American economy. Near the end of the gathering, a reporter questioned Trump about a current public disturbance in the city where authorities were assaulted and a police vehicle was set on fire. The journalist also questioned if the situation could result in the removal of organizing rights for the expanded football competition.

“It's possible to take them away,” the former president said concerning the soccer fixtures, planned to be staged at the Massachusetts arena. “She is not good … she is radical left, and they’re dominating areas of the city. That’s a pretty big assertion, don't you think?”

Urban Disturbances and Public Safety Concerns

Unauthorized gatherings, a online-fueled trend where large crowds assemble on urban roads late at night to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have become a repeated problem in American cities since the lockdown closures. Current incidents have become aggressive in Massachusetts, notably in Boston. Yet, these gatherings are generally not seen as tied to any distinct ideological group.

“When a mayor is doing a bad job, and I perceive there are security risks, I will call the organization's president, who is phenomenal, and say it should be shifted to an alternate venue,” he stated on Tuesday. “And he would do that. He might not prefer to do it, but he’d do it. Without hesitation, he would.”

Organizational Alignment

FIFA President has made no secret his efforts to be publicly aligned with the former president ahead of next year’s tournament, scheduled to be hosted in 11 cities across the United States along with two in the northern neighbor and multiple in the southern neighbor. The head has been present at several presidential gatherings, had Trump hand over the FIFA club award after that tournament’s final, and has even postponed his FIFA's internal meeting to travel with Trump on a trip to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Past Statements

Nevertheless, Trump from suggesting the cancellation of soccer games from additional American venues. Recently, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis came under similar comments, with Trump claiming both cities were “run by radical left lunatics who lack understanding what they’re doing,” while criticizing the security conditions of both locales and implying that matches could be shifted.

FIFA Response

The organization's deputy Montagliani dismissed Trump’s statements when he reacted afterward at a conference in England.

“This is FIFA’s tournament, under our authority, FIFA makes such choices,” the vice-president stated. “Politely to sitting presidents, football is more important than them and the game will endure their administration and their policies. That’s the strength of football, that it is transcends a single person and more important than a nation.”

LA Games Warning

On Tuesday, Trump’s reply to a query about the Massachusetts city veered into a similar threat regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“When I perceived the city was failing to be prepared properly, I'd move it to another location if necessary,” Trump stated. “For the Olympics I might have to get a different kind of approval, but we would do that.”

Any approval Trump refers to would need to come through the IOC. The president, she, was selected to her role in spring and has so far not hold a public appearance with the former president, though she said that she would like a discussion with him at eventually.

Other Remarks

The former president also criticized Gavin Newsom’s handling of the blazes, stating that a parallel incident could result in the removal of the Games.

“If the governor is uncooperative, we’re gonna have to be strict,” Trump commented.

His statement was equally unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“The city should improve their situation,” he remarked. “That’s all I can say.”