Boston Mayor Mayor Wu Counters President Trump's Threat to Move FIFA World Cup Matches from City

The mayor of Boston, Mayor Wu, implied that the city was prepared for a dispute with President Donald Trump over his claim that he could instruct FIFA to remove World Cup games from Gillette Stadium, situated 22 miles southwest of the city.

Mayor Wu spoke on a Boston-based podcast recently to address criticism from the Trump administration, which had labeled her as "far-left." Trump had warned that he would contact FIFA President Gianni Infantino if Boston did not "clean up its act."

Much of it is secured by contract so that no single person, even if they live in the White House, can change it.

She continued, "We live in a time where for attention, for power, for pushing the boundaries ... ongoing threats ... are issued at people and cities who refuse to back down and comply or be obedient to a divisive plan."

Mayor Wu also remarked, "We are going to continue being who we are, and that means, unfortunately, we are going to be in a conversation that is targeting what Boston stands for." She concluded by stressing her support for the Boston, saying, "Fully committed for Boston."

The President's Statements and FIFA's Involvement

Recently, FIFA President Gianni Infantino was photographed with Trump at the Gaza summit in Egypt. Infantino has also visited the Oval Office and given World Cup tournament and club championship awards to the president as presents.

Earlier, Trump was questioned on recent disturbances in South Boston that involved a police vehicle being set on fire. He replied, "If somebody is doing a bad job, and if I feel there's danger, I would call Gianni – the president of FIFA, who's great."

Trump continued, "I'd tell him: 'We should relocate the games' and they would comply. He wouldn't love to do it. But he would do it without hesitation." Trump also specifically targeted Mayor Wu, stating, "Their mayor is not good ... she's far-left, and they're taking over some areas in Boston. That's a pretty big statement, right?"

Past Warnings and Upcoming Tournament Information

Trump has previously suggested that he would have the same conversation with Infantino about relocating games from other host cities, which are part of the 16 host cities across North America.

The US is co-hosting the 2026 tournament with neighboring countries. The 48-team event is scheduled to be played from 11 June to July 19 next summer.