🔗 Share this article

Boston's mayor, Michelle Wu, indicated that the city was prepared for a face-off with US President Donald Trump over his claim that he could order FIFA to remove World Cup games from Gillette Stadium, located approximately 35 kilometers south-west of Boston.

Mayor Wu appeared on a Boston-based podcast this week to respond to criticism from the Trump administration, which had labeled her as "radical left." President Trump had threatened that he would call the head of FIFA 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 reverse it.

Wu added, "We're in a world where for attention, for control, to test limits ... ongoing threats ... are issued at people and cities who stand their ground and submit or follow along to a divisive plan."

She also remarked, "We are going to continue being ourselves, and that means, unfortunately, we are going to be part of a discussion that is challenging what Boston stands for." Wu concluded by emphasizing her commitment for the city, saying, "Fully committed for our city."

Trump's Comments and FIFA's Role

Earlier this week, FIFA President Gianni Infantino was seen alongside Trump at the Gaza summit in Egypt. The FIFA president has also visited the White House and given World Cup tournament and Club World Cup trophies to the president as presents.

Earlier, Trump was asked about recent disturbances in a Boston neighborhood that included a police car being set on fire. 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 great."

He continued, "I'd tell him: 'Let's move into another location' and they would do that. He might not prefer it. But he would do it very easily." The president also specifically targeted Wu, stating, "Boston's mayor is ineffective ... she's far-left, and they're dominating parts of Boston. That's a pretty big statement, right?"

Past Warnings and 2026 World Cup Information

President Trump has made previous comments that he would take the similar discussion with the FIFA president about relocating games from Seattle and San Francisco, which are among the 16 locations across North America.

The US is joint hosts the 2026 tournament with Mexico and Canada. The 48-team event is planned to be held from June 11 to 19 July next summer.