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Ex-president Trump has once again announced he would pressure FIFA to pull global soccer tournament games from a venue based on the local politics, with Boston now being the latest targeted location to receive such threats from the American leader. Moreover, Trump suggested he would evaluate parallel steps against LA for the 2028 Olympics due to perceived security concerns.

Jurisdictional Limits and Potential Influence

Even though Trump lacks official jurisdiction to personally cancel either competition, he can lobby the respective governing bodies managing each tournament to shift locations.

Context of Remarks

These statements were made during a media briefing with Javier Milei, who was visiting the executive mansion following the disclosure of a massive rescue package for the Latin American economy. Near the conclusion of the gathering, a journalist asked Trump about a latest “street takeover” in the city where law enforcement were assaulted and a patrol car was ignited. The journalist also questioned if the situation could lead to the revocation of organizing rights for the expanded football competition.

“I would take them away,” he stated about the soccer fixtures, set to be staged at Gillette Stadium. “Their mayor is ineffective … she is extremist, and they are taking over sections of the city. It's a major statement, isn't it?”

Urban Disturbances and Public Safety Concerns

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven trend where groups of people gather on city streets after dark to engage in dangerous driving, have been a frequent nuisance in US urban areas since the Covid-19 pandemic shutdowns. Recent such gatherings have turned violent in the state, specifically in the city. However, these occurrences are generally not seen as tied to any particular political ideology.

“When someone is doing a bad job, and I believe there are security risks, I'd call the organization's president, who is outstanding, and tell him we should relocate it to an alternate venue,” he said publicly. “And he would do that. He might not prefer the action, but he would comply. Very easily, he’d do it.”

FIFA Relationship

Gianni Infantino has been open his efforts to be closely connected with the US leader ahead of the 2026 event, set to be hosted in 11 cities across the United States along with several in Canada and a few in the southern neighbor. The head has appeared at various Oval Office gatherings, had Trump hand over the FIFA club trophy after the championship match, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to join Trump on a trip to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Past Statements

Despite this, Trump from warning about the cancellation of FIFA World Cup matches from other US host cities. On September 25, Seattle and San Francisco were parallel comments, with Trump stating both cities were “led by far-left extremists who lack understanding what they're managing,” while criticizing the security conditions of both cities and claiming that events could be shifted.

Organizational Statement

The organization's deputy Montagliani rejected Trump’s claims when he responded days later at a event in England.

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, under our authority, FIFA makes these matters,” Montagliani stated. “With all due respect to sitting presidents, the sport is transcends political figures and the game will outlast their administration and their policies. It's the strength of this sport, that it is more significant than any individual and beyond a nation.”

2028 Comments

Similarly, Trump’s reply to a query about Boston included a parallel statement regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“If I believed the city was failing to be prepared properly, I will shift it to an alternate venue if necessary,” Trump stated. “Regarding that event I may have to secure a different kind of approval, but we will proceed.”

Any approval Trump mentioned would must come via the Olympic governing body. Their leader, she, was selected to her role in this year and has yet to appear together with him, but she said that she would like a meeting with him at a future time.

Additional Criticism

Trump also questioned California governor Newsom’s management of this year’s California fires, saying that a comparable scenario could cause the relocation of the event.

“In case he refuses to cooperate, we are going to have to be very tough,” the former president said.

His message was equally clear for the Massachusetts city.

“They better address these issues,” Trump stated. “It's I can say.”