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Former President Trump has yet again stated he would influence FIFA to remove 2026 World Cup events from a venue based on the local governance, with Massachusetts emerging as the latest urban area to receive such threats from the American leader. Furthermore, Trump remarked he would contemplate similar action against Los Angeles for the 2028 Summer Games due to perceived safety issues.

Legal Authority and Potential Influence

Even though Trump holds no official jurisdiction to personally cancel either event, he may apply pressure the international organizations overseeing each competition to change venues.

Setting for Statements

These comments were made during a media briefing with Argentinian president Milei, who was present in the executive mansion following the disclosure of a $20 billion rescue package for the South American economy. Near the end of the meeting, a journalist inquired Trump about a current unauthorized gathering in downtown Boston where police officers were targeted and a patrol car was ignited. The journalist also asked if such events could lead to the removal of hosting duties for the larger soccer tournament.

“I would take them away,” he stated concerning the FIFA World Cup matches, scheduled to be hosted at the Foxborough venue. “Their mayor is poor … she’s radical left, and they’re taking over parts of downtown. That’s a significant claim, right?”

Street Takeovers and Public Safety Concerns

Unauthorized gatherings, a online-fueled phenomenon where participants assemble on public avenues late at night to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have been a frequent issue in metropolitan centers since the lockdown shutdowns. Latest incidents have escalated into violence in the state, notably in downtown. However, these events are typically not seen as tied to any distinct partisan agenda.

“If someone is doing a bad job, and I believe there’s security risks, I'd call the organization's president, who is excellent, and suggest let’s move it to a different city,” he said during the event. “And he would do that. He wouldn’t love to do it, but he'd agree. Readily, he’d do it.”

Organizational Alignment

Gianni Infantino has publicly acknowledged his attempts to be visibly associated with the former president before next year’s tournament, set to be staged in multiple US locations across the United States along with several in the northern neighbor and multiple in Mexico. The head has participated at various presidential gatherings, had Trump present the Club World Cup award after the concluding game, and has even postponed his FIFA's internal meeting to accompany Trump on a trip to the Middle East previously.

Previous Threats

Despite this, Trump from threatening the cancellation of World Cup events from different locations. On September 25, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis faced parallel comments, with Trump asserting both locations were “governed by far-left extremists who lack understanding what they're managing,” while criticizing the safety level of both areas and implying that events could be shifted.

Official Rebuttal

FIFA vice-president Montagliani rejected Trump’s statements when he reacted days later at a gathering in London.

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, the organization determines these matters,” he stated. “Respectfully to current world leaders, the sport is bigger than political figures and soccer will survive their regime and their government. It's the beauty of our game, that it is transcends any individual and beyond any country.”

2028 Comments

Similarly, Trump’s reply to a question about the Massachusetts city included a similar threat regarding the LA Olympic event.

“When I believed the city was not going to be adequately ready, I'd shift it to a different city as needed,” he said. “For the Olympics I may have to get a alternative consent, but we will do that.”

Any approval Trump refers to would must come through the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The president, she, was elected to her role in spring and has not yet hold a public appearance with him, although she indicated that she would like a discussion with the US figure at a future time.

Further Comments

He also questioned Gavin Newsom’s management of this year’s LA wildfires, stating that a comparable scenario could lead to the relocation of the Olympics.

“If the governor is uncooperative, we are going to have to be firm,” Trump said.

His message was just as direct for the Massachusetts city.

“They better clean up their act,” he remarked. “That’s all I will say.”