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Former President Trump has yet again declared he would urge FIFA to pull global soccer tournament games from a host city based on municipal political climate, with the Boston region emerging as the most recent targeted location to receive such statements from the American leader. Moreover, Trump remarked he would evaluate parallel steps against LA for the upcoming Olympic Games due to potential public safety risks.

Official Power and Informal Leverage

Although Trump lacks direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either tournament, he is able to exert influence the international organizations managing each tournament to shift venues.

Context of Remarks

The remarks were made during a press event with Javier Milei, who was at the White House following the announcement of a $20 billion bailout for the South American economy. Toward the end of the gathering, a media member questioned Trump about a recent unauthorized gathering in the city where police officers were assaulted and a cruiser was set on fire. The reporter also questioned if the situation could result in the removal of tournament responsibilities for the 48-team World Cup.

“We could take them away,” he said regarding the World Cup fixtures, scheduled to be held at the Foxborough venue. “Their mayor is poor … she is extremist, and they’re taking over sections of downtown. That is a major claim, right?”

Urban Disturbances and Public Safety Concerns

Street takeovers, a social media-driven trend where participants gather on urban roads during nighttime to engage in dangerous driving, have emerged as a frequent problem in US urban areas since the Covid-19 pandemic shutdowns. Current incidents have escalated into violence in the region, including downtown. Nevertheless, these gatherings are typically not regarded as linked to any specific political ideology.

“When someone is performing poorly, and I believe there are dangerous circumstances, I would call the FIFA head, who is phenomenal, and suggest we should relocate it to another location,” he stated during the event. “He will do that. He might not prefer to do it, but he’d do it. Without hesitation, he’d do it.”

Political Connections

The organization's head has made no secret his strategies to be closely connected with Trump ahead of next year’s tournament, scheduled to be organized in 11 cities across the America along with two in Canada and multiple in Mexico. The head has appeared at several White House gatherings, arranged for Trump hand over the FIFA club cup after that tournament’s final, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to accompany Trump on a trip to the Gulf states this year.

Past Statements

Despite this, Trump from suggesting the cancellation of World Cup games from other US host cities. In late September, Seattle and San Francisco faced comparable statements, with Trump asserting both cities were “governed by far-left extremists who lack understanding what they're managing,” while challenging the public safety of both areas and claiming that events could be removed.

FIFA Response

Victor Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s assertions when he responded subsequently at a conference in England.

“It’s the organization's event, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions,” Montagliani declared. “Respectfully to national heads, the sport is transcends any individual and the game will outlast their administration and their government. That is the strength of our game, that it is more significant than any individual and more important than a nation.”

LA Games Warning

On Tuesday, Trump’s reply to a query about Boston veered into a comparable warning regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“When I thought the city was not going to be sufficiently organized, I'd relocate it to an alternate venue as needed,” he said. “On that one I might have to get a different kind of permission, but we would take that action.”

Any approval Trump refers to would need to come via the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their leader, Kirsty Coventry, was selected to her position in spring and has so far not hold a public appearance with the former president, though she indicated that she would like a discussion with Trump at some point.

Other Remarks

He also criticized Gavin Newsom’s handling of the LA wildfires, stating that a similar situation could lead to the removal of the Games.

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

The warning was equally direct for Boston.

“Boston must improve their situation,” he said. “That is I can say.”