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Donald Trump has repeatedly stated he would urge FIFA to remove upcoming World Cup matches from a venue based on that city's governance, with Massachusetts now being the third such city to encounter such threats from the American leader. Additionally, Trump indicated he would evaluate comparable measures against LA for the 2028 Summer Games due to possible safety issues.

Jurisdictional Limits and Informal Leverage

Even though Trump lacks direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either competition, he can lobby the respective governing bodies overseeing each tournament to change host cities.

Background of Comments

The comments were made during a press event with Javier Milei, who was at the executive mansion following the revelation of a massive financial assistance for the Latin American country. At the close of the event, a journalist questioned Trump about a latest “street takeover” in the city where authorities were targeted and a cruiser was ignited. The reporter also wondered if these incidents could result in the removal of hosting duties for the expanded World Cup.

“I would take them away,” Trump said about the World Cup games, scheduled to be hosted at the Foxborough venue. “The city's leader is not good … they're far-left, and they’re occupying areas of Boston. That is a major statement, don't you think?”

Street Takeovers and Ideological Perceptions

Public disruptions, a social media-driven phenomenon where groups of people assemble on public avenues late at night to engage in dangerous driving, have emerged as a ongoing problem in US urban areas since the lockdown closures. Latest similar events have turned violent in the state, including the city. However, these events are generally not considered tied to any specific partisan agenda.

“If a mayor is failing, and I perceive there’s dangerous circumstances, I will call the FIFA head, who is outstanding, and suggest let’s move it to another location,” Trump commented during the event. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy doing it, but he'd agree. Readily, he’d do it.”

FIFA Relationship

The organization's head has been open his strategies to be publicly aligned with Trump before the 2026 event, planned to be staged in multiple US locations across the America along with two in Canada and multiple in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has appeared at various White House functions, facilitated Trump hand over the Club World Cup trophy after the concluding game, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to accompany Trump on a journey to the Middle East earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

This has not stopped, Trump from threatening the relocation of FIFA World Cup matches from different locations. Recently, Seattle and San Francisco came under similar criticism, with Trump claiming both urban centers were “run by radical left lunatics who lack understanding what they're managing,” while challenging the public safety of both cities and suggesting that games could be removed.

FIFA Response

The organization's deputy Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he commented afterward at a conference in the UK capital.

“This is FIFA’s tournament, under our authority, FIFA makes these matters,” the vice-president said. “With all due respect to sitting presidents, the sport is more important than political figures and football will endure their administration and their leadership. That’s the essence of this sport, that it is transcends a single person and bigger than individual states.”

LA Games Warning

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

“If I believed Los Angeles was failing to be prepared properly, I'd shift it to an alternate venue if I had to,” he said. “On that one I’d probably have to obtain a different kind of approval, but we will do that.”

Official consent Trump mentioned would need to come via the IOC. Their president, Kirsty Coventry, was elected to her post in March and has so far not meet publicly with him, although she indicated that she desires a discussion with the US figure at eventually.

Other Remarks

He also condemned Gavin Newsom’s handling of this year’s LA wildfires, stating that a similar situation could lead to the cancellation of the event.

“When Newsom refuses to cooperate, we’re gonna have to be strict,” Trump said.

His message was similarly unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston better clean up their act,” Trump stated. “That is I can say.”