Boston's Leader Mayor Wu Addresses Trump's Warning to Move FIFA World Cup Games from City

Boston's mayor, Michelle Wu, suggested that the city was ready for a confrontation with US President Donald Trump over his assertion that he could instruct FIFA to relocate World Cup matches from Gillette Stadium, located approximately 35 kilometers southwest of Boston.

Wu appeared on a local podcast this week to address criticism from the Trump administration, which had described her as "far-left." President Trump had threatened that he would call FIFA President Gianni Infantino if Boston did not "improve its situation."

Much of it is locked down by agreement so that no single person, even the president, can change it.

She added, "We're in a world where for attention, for power, to test limits ... ongoing threats ... are directed at individuals and communities who stand their ground and comply or follow along to a divisive plan."

She further stated, "We will keep being who we are, and that means, sadly, we are going to be part of a discussion that is targeting what Boston stands for." She finished by stressing her commitment for the city, declaring, "Ten toes down for Boston."

Trump's Comments and FIFA Involvement

Recently, Infantino was photographed with President Trump at the Gaza summit in Sharm el-Sheikh. The FIFA president has also visited the Oval Office and given World Cup and club championship trophies to the president as presents.

Earlier, Trump was questioned on unrest in a Boston neighborhood that included a police car being burned. He responded, "If somebody is doing a bad job, and if I feel there's danger, I would call Infantino – the president of the organization, who's phenomenal."

He continued, "I'd tell him: 'We should relocate the games' and they would do that. He wouldn't love to do it. But he would do it without hesitation." The president also specifically targeted Mayor Wu, saying, "Their mayor is not good ... she's far-left, and they're dominating parts of Boston. That's a pretty big statement, right?"

Previous Warnings and Upcoming Tournament Information

President Trump has previously suggested that he would have the same conversation with the FIFA president about moving matches from other host cities, which are among the 16 locations across the continent.

The United States is co-hosting the 2026 tournament with Mexico and Canada. The expanded tournament is planned to be played from 11 June to July 19 next summer.