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Ex-president Trump has repeatedly announced he would influence FIFA to remove upcoming World Cup matches from a designated city based on that city's politics, with Massachusetts now being the most recent targeted location to encounter such warnings from the US president. Moreover, Trump suggested he would consider parallel steps against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to potential safety issues.

Legal Authority and Potential Influence

While Trump holds no official jurisdiction to personally cancel either tournament, he may exert influence the organizing committees managing each tournament to shift host cities.

Context of Remarks

The statements were made during a media briefing with Javier Milei, who was present in the presidential residence following the announcement of a massive financial assistance for the Argentine economy. At the end of the gathering, a journalist asked Trump about a latest unauthorized gathering in Boston where law enforcement were attacked and a cruiser was ignited. The correspondent also questioned if these incidents could result in the removal of organizing rights for the expanded World Cup.

“I would take them away,” Trump said about the soccer matches, set to be hosted at Gillette Stadium. “The city's leader is ineffective … she is radical left, and they’re taking over parts of the city. It's a major statement, right?”

Public Gatherings and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven phenomenon where participants gather on city streets during nighttime to engage in dangerous driving, have been a frequent problem in American cities since the coronavirus closures. Recent incidents have turned violent in Massachusetts, including Boston. Nevertheless, these events are generally not seen as associated with any distinct ideological group.

“If someone is failing, and I perceive there are unsafe conditions, I would call Gianni [Infantino], who is excellent, and say we should relocate it to another location,” the former president commented on Tuesday. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy doing it, but he’d do it. Very easily, he’d do it.”

Organizational Alignment

FIFA President has publicly acknowledged his attempts to be closely connected with the US leader prior to the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to be staged in 11 cities across the United States along with a couple in Canada and multiple in Mexico. The organization's leader has been present at various Oval Office functions, arranged for Trump hand over the Club World Cup trophy after the championship match, and has even rescheduled his the group's assembly to join Trump on a trip to the Arab region previously.

Past Statements

Nevertheless, Trump from suggesting the cancellation of FIFA World Cup events from other US host cities. Recently, the Washington city and San Francisco were parallel statements, with Trump stating both urban centers were “run by far-left extremists who lack understanding what they’re doing,” while challenging the safety level of both cities and claiming that matches could be relocated.

FIFA Response

Victor Montagliani dismissed Trump’s assertions when he commented subsequently at a gathering in England.

“This is our competition, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes these matters,” Montagliani said. “With all due respect to current world leaders, soccer is bigger than any individual and soccer will outlast their tenure and their policies. It's the strength of this sport, that it is transcends any individual and more important than individual states.”

Olympics Threat

On Tuesday, Trump’s reply to a inquiry about Boston extended to a comparable warning regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“If I thought Los Angeles was not prepared properly, I will shift it to an alternate venue as needed,” he said. “For the Olympics I’d probably have to secure a different kind of approval, but we would do that.”

Official consent Trump alluded to would need to come from the IOC. Their leader, Kirsty Coventry, was selected to her position in this year and has not yet hold a public appearance with him, but she stated that she hopes for a discussion with him at a future time.

Additional Criticism

Trump also criticized Gavin Newsom’s handling of the LA wildfires, saying that a parallel incident could cause the removal of the Olympics.

“In case the governor doesn’t play ball, we will have to be firm,” Trump stated.

The warning was similarly unambiguous for Boston.

“The city should clean up their act,” he said. “That is I can say.”