🔗 Share this article

Ex-president Trump has repeatedly announced he would urge FIFA to remove upcoming World Cup matches from a venue based on municipal political climate, with the Boston region now being the latest targeted location to encounter such warnings from the American leader. Additionally, Trump indicated he would evaluate parallel steps against Southern California for the 2028 Olympics due to potential safety issues.

Legal Authority and Informal Leverage

While Trump holds no direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either event, he may exert influence the respective governing bodies in charge of each tournament to move locations.

Background of Comments

These statements were made during a news conference with Javier Milei, who was visiting the White House following the disclosure of a multibillion-dollar rescue package for the South American nation. At the close of the event, a reporter asked Trump about a current “street takeover” in the city where authorities were targeted and a patrol car was ignited. The correspondent also questioned if these incidents could result in the revocation of hosting duties for the 48-team football competition.

“We could take them away,” Trump said about the FIFA World Cup matches, planned to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “She is poor … she’s far-left, and they’re taking over sections of the city. That’s a major statement, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Public Safety Concerns

Street takeovers, a social media-driven trend where groups of people gather on urban roads late at night to engage in dangerous driving, have been a ongoing problem in US urban areas since the Covid-19 pandemic closures. Current similar events have escalated into violence in the region, notably in the city. However, these gatherings are generally not seen as associated with any specific ideological group.

“When a city is performing poorly, and I believe exist dangerous circumstances, I will call the organization's president, who is excellent, and say it should be shifted to a different city,” Trump stated publicly. “And he would do that. He wouldn’t love the action, but he’d do it. Without hesitation, he'd comply.”

Organizational Alignment

The organization's head has been open his attempts to be publicly aligned with the US leader before the upcoming World Cup, set to be staged in numerous American venues across the United States along with several in the northern neighbor and multiple in the southern neighbor. The head has participated at various presidential functions, had Trump hand over the FIFA club trophy after the concluding game, and has even rescheduled his the group's assembly to travel with Trump on a visit to the Middle East previously.

Previous Threats

This has not stopped, Trump from warning about the removal of World Cup games from other US host cities. In late September, the Washington city and San Francisco came under similar statements, with Trump stating both urban centers were “governed by far-left extremists who don’t know what they are doing,” while criticizing the security conditions of both cities and suggesting that matches could be relocated.

Official Rebuttal

Victor Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he responded afterward at a gathering in London.

“This is the organization's event, under our authority, we decide these matters,” he said. “Politely to sitting presidents, football is transcends them and the game will survive their administration and their government. It's the strength of our game, that it is more significant than one leader and more important than a nation.”

Olympics Threat

On Tuesday, Trump’s answer to a query about the Massachusetts city included a comparable warning regarding the LA Olympic event.

“If I believed the city was not prepared properly, I would relocate it to a different city if I had to,” Trump stated. “Regarding that event I might have to secure a different kind of permission, but we will take that action.”

Any approval Trump mentioned would have to come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their head, Kirsty Coventry, was chosen to her role in spring and has so far not hold a public appearance with him, though she stated that she would like a meeting with the US figure at eventually.

Other Remarks

He also questioned Gavin Newsom’s response of recent California fires, stating that a comparable scenario could lead to the removal of the Olympics.

“If he is uncooperative, we’re gonna have to be very tough,” Trump said.

His statement was just as unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston better address these issues,” he remarked. “That is I can say.”