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Former President Trump has once again declared he would influence FIFA to relocate global soccer tournament matches from a host city based on municipal governance, with Massachusetts now being the latest such city to face such threats from the American leader. Additionally, Trump remarked he would consider parallel steps against Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics due to possible public safety risks.

Official Power and Informal Leverage

Although Trump holds no official jurisdiction to personally cancel either competition, he may lobby the organizing committees in charge of each competition to shift locations.

Context of Remarks

The statements were made during a news conference with Argentina's leader Milei, who was present in the White House following the announcement of a multibillion-dollar financial assistance for the Latin American economy. Toward the end of the event, a media member inquired Trump about a recent “street takeover” in Boston where police officers were assaulted and a police vehicle was set on fire. The journalist also asked if the situation could result in the removal of organizing rights for the expanded soccer tournament.

“It's possible to take them away,” the former president remarked concerning the FIFA World Cup fixtures, planned to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “Their mayor is ineffective … they're extremist, and they’re taking over areas of downtown. That is a significant claim, right?”

Street Takeovers and Ideological Perceptions

Street takeovers, a social media-driven phenomenon where large crowds congregate on city streets during nighttime to engage in dangerous driving, have been a frequent problem in US urban areas since the lockdown shutdowns. Current similar events have escalated into violence in the region, notably in downtown. Yet, these gatherings are usually not considered tied to any distinct ideological group.

“In cases where a mayor is failing, and I believe exist unsafe conditions, I would call the FIFA head, who is phenomenal, and tell him we should relocate it to a different city,” the former president said publicly. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy the action, but he’d do it. Very easily, he would.”

FIFA Relationship

FIFA President has publicly acknowledged his strategies to be visibly associated with the former president prior to the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to be organized in 11 cities across the United States along with several in the northern neighbor and a few in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has participated at multiple Oval Office gatherings, had Trump hand over the FIFA club trophy after the championship match, and has even postponed his FIFA's internal meeting to join Trump on a visit to the Arab region this year.

Previous Threats

Nevertheless, Trump from threatening the cancellation of World Cup events from different locations. In late September, Seattle and San Francisco came under comparable statements, with Trump claiming both locations were “governed by ideological activists who don’t know what they are doing,” while challenging the public safety of both areas and claiming that games could be removed.

Official Rebuttal

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

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, under our authority, we decide such choices,” the vice-president stated. “Respectfully to sitting presidents, soccer is bigger than them and soccer will endure their tenure and their policies. That is the essence of our game, that it is transcends one leader and more important than individual states.”

LA Games Warning

Similarly, Trump’s answer to a question about Boston veered into a parallel statement regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“When I thought Los Angeles was failing to be adequately ready, I would relocate it to a different city as needed,” Trump stated. “For the Olympics I may have to secure a varying approval, but we will proceed.”

The permission Trump alluded to would have to come through the Olympic governing body. The president, Kirsty Coventry, was chosen to her role in March and has not yet meet publicly with the former president, but she indicated that she would like a sit-down with the US figure at eventually.

Other Remarks

Trump also criticized California governor Newsom’s handling of this year’s California fires, stating that a similar situation could result in the cancellation of the Games.

“If he is uncooperative, we’re gonna have to be strict,” the former president commented.

His message was similarly direct for Boston.

“They better clean up their act,” he remarked. “That’s all my message.”