Boston Mayor Mayor Wu Responds to Trump's Threat to Relocate World Cup Matches from City
Boston's mayor, Michelle Wu, indicated that the city was ready for a face-off with US President Donald Trump concerning his assertion that he could instruct FIFA to relocate World Cup tournament matches from the stadium in Foxborough, located 22 miles southwest of the city.
Mayor Wu appeared on a Boston-based podcast this week to answer criticism from the Trump administration, which had labeled her as "radical left." President Trump had warned that he would contact the head of FIFA if Boston did not "address its issues."
A great deal of it is locked down by agreement so that no single person, even the president, can reverse it.
She continued, "We're in a world where for drama, for control, for pushing the boundaries ... repeated warnings ... are issued at people and cities who stand their ground and submit or be obedient to a divisive plan."
She further stated, "We are going to continue being ourselves, and that means, sadly, we are going to be part of a discussion that is targeting Boston's values." Wu finished by stressing her support for the city, declaring, "Ten toes down for Boston."
Trump's Comments and FIFA Involvement
Recently, FIFA President Gianni Infantino was photographed alongside President Trump at the international summit in Egypt. Infantino has also visited the Oval Office and presented World Cup and club championship trophies to Trump as gifts.
Earlier, President Trump was asked about unrest in a Boston neighborhood that involved 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 head of the organization, who's phenomenal."
He added, "I'd tell him: 'Let's move into another location' and they would comply. He wouldn't love to do it. But he would do it very easily." The president also specifically targeted Wu, stating, "Their mayor is ineffective ... she's radical left, and they're dominating parts of Boston. That's a strong claim, right?"
Previous Threats and 2026 World Cup Details
President Trump has previously suggested that he would have the similar discussion with the FIFA president about moving matches from Seattle and San Francisco, which are among the 16 host cities across the continent.
The United States is joint hosts the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada. The 48-team event is planned to be played from June 11 to July 19 next summer.
