Boston Mayor Mayor Wu Responds to Trump's Threat to Relocate FIFA World Cup Matches from City

Boston's mayor, Michelle Wu, suggested that the city was prepared for a confrontation with President Donald Trump regarding his claim that he could order FIFA to relocate World Cup tournament matches from Gillette Stadium, located approximately 35 kilometers southwest of Boston.

Wu appeared on a local podcast recently to respond to comments from the Trump administration, which had described her as "radical left." Trump had threatened that he would contact FIFA President Gianni Infantino if Boston did not "clean up its act."

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

Wu continued, "We live in a time where for attention, for control, for pushing the boundaries ... ongoing threats ... are issued at people and cities who stand their ground and comply or follow along to a divisive plan."

Mayor Wu also remarked, "We will keep being who we are, and that means, sadly, we are going to be in a conversation that is targeting what Boston stands for." Wu finished by stressing her commitment for the city, declaring, "Ten toes down for Boston."

The President's Statements and FIFA Role

Earlier this week, Infantino was photographed with Trump at the Gaza summit in Sharm el-Sheikh. The FIFA president has also visited the White House and presented World Cup and club championship awards to Trump as presents.

Earlier, President Trump was questioned on recent disturbances in South Boston that included a police car being burned. Trump responded, "If things aren't handled well, and if I feel there's unsafe conditions, I would call Gianni – the president of the organization, who's phenomenal."

He added, "I would say: 'Let's move into another location' and they would comply. He might not prefer it. But he would do it without hesitation." Trump also specifically targeted Mayor Wu, stating, "Their mayor is ineffective ... she's far-left, and they're taking over parts of Boston. That's a pretty big statement, right?"

Previous Warnings and 2026 World Cup Information

President Trump has made previous comments that he would have the similar discussion with the FIFA president about moving matches from Seattle and San Francisco, which are part of the 16 host cities across the continent.

The US is joint hosts the 2026 tournament with neighboring countries. The expanded tournament is planned to be played from June 11 to 19 July next summer.