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Former President Trump has yet again stated he would influence FIFA to relocate upcoming World Cup events from a designated city based on that city's governance, with the Boston region becoming the latest targeted location to face such warnings from the US president. Additionally, Trump suggested he would consider comparable measures against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to perceived safety issues.

Legal Authority and Potential Influence

While Trump lacks direct legal authority to directly relocate either event, he can apply pressure the international organizations managing each competition to move venues.

Setting for Statements

These statements were made during a press event with Argentina's leader Milei, who was present in the White House following the revelation of a $20 billion bailout for the Latin American economy. Near the end of the event, a journalist inquired Trump about a current “street takeover” in the city where police officers were assaulted and a cruiser was ignited. The correspondent also questioned if the situation could lead to the revocation of tournament responsibilities for the larger World Cup.

“It's possible to take them away,” the former president said about the FIFA World Cup games, scheduled to be hosted at the Foxborough venue. “She is not good … they're far-left, and they are occupying sections of downtown. That is a significant statement, don't you think?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Street takeovers, a social media-driven phenomenon where groups of people gather on public avenues during nighttime to perform stunts, have emerged as a frequent nuisance in American cities since the coronavirus closures. Current similar events have turned violent in the region, notably in Boston. Yet, these occurrences are usually not considered linked to any specific partisan agenda.

“If someone is failing, and I believe there’s security risks, I would call Gianni [Infantino], who is outstanding, and tell him let’s move it to an alternate venue,” the former president stated publicly. “He will do that. He might not prefer to do it, but he would comply. Very easily, he’d do it.”

FIFA Relationship

Gianni Infantino has made no secret his attempts to be publicly aligned with Trump before the upcoming World Cup, planned to be hosted in 11 cities across the America along with a couple in the northern neighbor and a few in Mexico. The FIFA president has been present at several White House functions, facilitated Trump present the club tournament cup after that tournament’s final, and has even rescheduled his own organization’s congress to travel with Trump on a journey to the Arab region this year.

Earlier Warnings

Nevertheless, Trump from threatening the removal of World Cup matches from additional American venues. In late September, the Washington city and San Francisco faced comparable comments, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “run by ideological activists who are clueless what they're managing,” while challenging the security conditions of both cities and suggesting that events could be removed.

FIFA Response

FIFA vice-president Montagliani rejected Trump’s assertions when he responded days later at a gathering in England.

“It is our competition, under our authority, we decide those decisions,” the vice-president said. “With all due respect to national heads, soccer is transcends them and soccer will survive their regime and their leadership. That is the essence of our game, that it is transcends any individual and beyond individual states.”

Olympics Threat

On Tuesday, Trump’s response to a query about Boston included a parallel statement regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“When I perceived Los Angeles was not prepared properly, I'd shift it to an alternate venue as needed,” he remarked. “On that one I might have to obtain a different kind of approval, but we would do that.”

The permission Trump alluded to would have to come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The head, Kirsty Coventry, was elected to her post in March and has not yet meet publicly with him, though she stated that she would like a meeting with Trump at eventually.

Further Comments

Trump also criticized Gavin Newsom’s handling of this year’s LA wildfires, saying that a similar situation could result in the cancellation of the event.

“If he is uncooperative, we are going to have to be very tough,” he stated.

His message was similarly direct for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston should improve their situation,” he remarked. “It's my message.”