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Ex-president Trump has yet again declared he would pressure FIFA to relocate 2026 World Cup matches from a host city based on that city's governance, with Massachusetts becoming the most recent targeted location to encounter such threats from the American leader. Additionally, Trump indicated he would evaluate similar action against Los Angeles for the 2028 Summer Games due to possible security concerns.

Jurisdictional Limits and Informal Leverage

Even though Trump holds no formal power to personally cancel either competition, he may exert influence the organizing committees in charge of each competition to shift locations.

Setting for Statements

The remarks were made during a news conference with Argentina's leader Milei, who was visiting the White House following the announcement of a multibillion-dollar financial assistance for the South American country. At the conclusion of the event, a reporter questioned Trump about a latest public disturbance in the city where authorities were targeted and a police vehicle was ignited. The journalist also questioned if these incidents could result in the revocation of tournament responsibilities for the expanded World Cup.

“We could take them away,” he said regarding the soccer games, set to be hosted at Gillette Stadium. “She is not good … they're extremist, and activists are taking over parts of downtown. That’s a major claim, isn't it?”

Urban Disturbances and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven occurrence where groups of people assemble on city streets during nighttime to perform stunts, have been a repeated nuisance in metropolitan centers since the coronavirus shutdowns. Recent incidents have turned violent in Massachusetts, notably in the city. However, these events are usually not regarded as linked to any particular ideological group.

“When a city is failing, and I feel exist unsafe conditions, I would call the organization's president, who is excellent, and suggest let’s move it to a different city,” he said during the event. “He will do that. He wouldn’t love the action, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he'd comply.”

Organizational Alignment

FIFA President has publicly acknowledged his efforts to be visibly associated with the US leader prior to the upcoming World Cup, set to be hosted in 11 cities across the United States along with two in Canada and three in Mexico. The organization's leader has appeared at multiple presidential functions, arranged for Trump deliver the club tournament cup after the concluding game, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to accompany Trump on a visit to the Middle East previously.

Past Statements

This has not stopped, Trump from suggesting the relocation of FIFA World Cup events from other US host cities. In late September, the Washington city and San Francisco came under comparable criticism, with Trump stating both urban centers were “governed by far-left extremists who lack understanding what they are doing,” while questioning the safety level of both areas and claiming that games could be shifted.

Official Rebuttal

FIFA vice-president Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he reacted days later at a event in England.

“This is FIFA’s tournament, our responsibility, the organization determines such choices,” the vice-president declared. “Respectfully to national heads, the sport is transcends political figures and the game will endure their tenure and their government. It's the strength of football, that it is bigger than one leader and beyond individual states.”

Olympics Threat

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

“In case I believed the city was not sufficiently organized, I will shift it to another location if I had to,” he remarked. “Regarding that event I’d probably have to get a varying permission, but we would proceed.”

The permission Trump alluded to would must come from the IOC. Their leader, the newly elected president, was chosen to her position in this year and has so far not hold a public appearance with Trump, though she said that she would like a meeting with the US figure at some point.

Additional Criticism

He also condemned the state's leader Newsom’s response of this year’s LA wildfires, saying that a similar situation could result in the relocation of the Olympics.

“When he doesn’t play ball, we will have to be firm,” he said.

His statement was similarly unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“The city better improve their situation,” he remarked. “That’s all my message.”