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Former President Trump has repeatedly declared he would influence FIFA to relocate global soccer tournament matches from a venue based on municipal politics, with Massachusetts now being the third targeted location to face such warnings from the White House. Moreover, Trump remarked he would consider similar action against LA for the 2028 Summer Games due to perceived security concerns.

Official Power and Potential Influence

Although Trump lacks formal power to directly relocate either tournament, he can exert influence the organizing committees in charge of each event to shift locations.

Background of Comments

The comments were made during a news conference with Javier Milei, who was visiting the presidential residence following the announcement of a multibillion-dollar bailout for the Latin American economy. Toward the end of the meeting, a reporter asked Trump about a current unauthorized gathering in the city where law enforcement were assaulted and a police vehicle was burned. The reporter also wondered if such events could result in the loss of tournament responsibilities for the larger football competition.

“It's possible to take them away,” the former president remarked about the soccer fixtures, set to be staged at the Massachusetts arena. “Their mayor is not good … she is extremist, and they’re dominating sections of downtown. That’s a pretty big claim, isn't it?”

Public Gatherings and Public Safety Concerns

Unauthorized gatherings, a online-fueled trend where groups of people assemble on city streets late at night to perform stunts, have become a repeated problem in American cities since the Covid-19 pandemic closures. Recent incidents have become aggressive in Massachusetts, notably in the city. However, these events are generally not considered associated with any distinct ideological group.

“When a city is performing poorly, and I believe there are security risks, I'd call the FIFA head, who is outstanding, and suggest we should relocate it to a different city,” he stated publicly. “He'd do that. He might not prefer to do it, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he'd comply.”

Political Connections

Gianni Infantino has been open his attempts to be closely connected with the former president prior to the upcoming World Cup, planned to be hosted in multiple US locations across the United States along with several in the northern neighbor and a few in the southern neighbor. The head has appeared at several White House functions, arranged for Trump deliver the club tournament award after the championship match, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to accompany Trump on a journey to the Middle East earlier in 2025.

Past Statements

Nevertheless, Trump from threatening the removal of FIFA World Cup matches from different locations. In late September, Seattle and San Francisco faced parallel statements, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “led by ideological activists who lack understanding what they’re doing,” while challenging the security conditions of both cities and suggesting that matches could be relocated.

FIFA Response

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

“This is the organization's event, under our authority, the organization determines those decisions,” Montagliani stated. “Politely to sitting presidents, the sport is bigger than any individual and football will survive their tenure and their government. It's the essence of football, that it is bigger than one leader and beyond a nation.”

2028 Comments

On Tuesday, Trump’s reply to a query about Boston veered into a parallel statement regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“If I thought the city was not sufficiently organized, I would move it to another location as needed,” he said. “For the Olympics I may have to secure a varying consent, but we would take that action.”

Any approval Trump refers to would need to come via the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their leader, she, was elected to her position in this year and has so far not meet publicly with him, though she indicated that she desires a discussion with Trump at a future time.

Additional Criticism

He also criticized California governor Newsom’s handling of this year’s LA wildfires, remarking that a comparable scenario could lead to the cancellation of the Games.

“If Newsom doesn’t play ball, we’re gonna have to be strict,” the former president commented.

His message was equally unambiguous for Boston.

“Boston must address these issues,” he remarked. “That’s all my message.”