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Ex-president Trump has repeatedly stated he would pressure FIFA to pull 2026 World Cup events from a designated city based on that city's governance, with Massachusetts emerging as the third targeted location to encounter such warnings from the American leader. Additionally, Trump indicated he would contemplate parallel steps against Southern California for the 2028 Olympics due to perceived safety issues.

Official Power and Potential Influence

Although Trump holds no official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either event, he can apply pressure the organizing committees overseeing each competition to shift host cities.

Background of Comments

The comments were made during a news conference with Javier Milei, who was at the executive mansion following the announcement of a massive rescue package for the Latin American nation. Near the end of the meeting, a media member inquired Trump about a latest unauthorized gathering in downtown Boston where law enforcement were assaulted and a cruiser was ignited. The reporter also asked if these incidents could result in the loss of tournament responsibilities for the 48-team World Cup.

“I would take them away,” he said concerning the FIFA World Cup fixtures, planned to be held at Gillette Stadium. “The city's leader is not good … they're radical left, and activists are occupying parts of Boston. That’s a pretty big assertion, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven phenomenon where groups of people gather on urban roads during nighttime to perform stunts, have been a frequent issue in metropolitan centers since the coronavirus shutdowns. Latest similar events have become aggressive in the region, specifically in downtown. Yet, these gatherings are typically not considered linked to any specific ideological group.

“In cases where a city is doing a bad job, and I perceive there’s dangerous circumstances, I'd call the organization's president, who is phenomenal, and suggest it should be shifted to an alternate venue,” Trump commented 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 strategies to be visibly associated with Trump prior to the 2026 event, set to be organized in 11 cities across the US along with several in the northern neighbor and multiple in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has appeared at several presidential gatherings, had Trump deliver the Club World Cup trophy after that tournament’s final, and has even rescheduled his FIFA's internal meeting to accompany Trump on a visit to the Middle East previously.

Past Statements

This has not stopped, Trump from suggesting the removal of soccer matches from different locations. On September 25, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis were comparable comments, with Trump stating both urban centers were “run by ideological activists who lack understanding what they’re doing,” while challenging the security conditions of both cities and claiming that games could be relocated.

Official Rebuttal

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

“It is the organization's event, FIFA’s jurisdiction, the organization determines those decisions,” the vice-president said. “Respectfully to sitting presidents, football is transcends any individual and the game will endure their regime and their policies. It's the strength of this sport, that it is bigger than any individual and more important than individual states.”

Olympics Threat

On Tuesday, Trump’s response to a query about the Massachusetts city included a parallel statement regarding the LA Olympic event.

“If I perceived LA was not adequately ready, I will shift it to a different city as needed,” he said. “On that one I may have to obtain a different kind of approval, but we would do that.”

Official consent Trump refers to would need to come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The leader, the newly elected president, was elected to her role in March and has yet to meet publicly with the former president, but she indicated that she hopes for a meeting with him at some point.

Additional Criticism

He also condemned Gavin Newsom’s response of recent LA wildfires, saying that a parallel incident could result in the cancellation of the event.

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

His statement was similarly direct for Boston.

“They should clean up their act,” he said. “It's my message.”