Boston Mayor Mayor Wu Addresses President Trump's Warning to Move World Cup Games from City
The mayor of Boston, Mayor Wu, suggested that the city was ready for a dispute with US President Donald Trump over his assertion that he could instruct FIFA to remove World Cup tournament matches from Gillette Stadium, located approximately 35 kilometers southwest of the city.
Wu appeared on a Boston-based podcast recently to answer criticism from the Trump administration, which had labeled her as "far-left." Trump had warned that he would contact the head of FIFA if Boston did not "clean up its act."
Much of it is secured by agreement so that no single person, even the president, can change it.
Wu continued, "We live in a time where for attention, for control, to test limits ... ongoing threats ... are directed at individuals and communities who refuse to back down and submit or follow along to a hateful agenda."
She further stated, "We are going to continue being who we are, and that means, unfortunately, we are going to be part of a discussion that is targeting Boston's values." Wu finished by stressing her commitment for the Boston, saying, "Ten toes down for our city."
The President's Comments and FIFA's Involvement
Recently, FIFA President Gianni Infantino was photographed with Trump at the Gaza summit in Sharm el-Sheikh. The FIFA president has also been to the White House and presented World Cup tournament and Club World Cup awards to the president as gifts.
Earlier, President Trump was asked about recent disturbances in South Boston that included a police vehicle being burned. Trump replied, "If things aren't handled well, and if I feel there's danger, I would call Gianni – the head of the organization, who's phenomenal."
He continued, "I'd tell him: 'Let's move into another location' and they would do that. He wouldn't love to do it. But he would do it without hesitation." Trump also specifically targeted Wu, stating, "Boston's mayor is not good ... she's far-left, and they're dominating some areas in Boston. That's a strong claim, right?"
Previous Threats and Upcoming Tournament Details
President Trump has made previous comments that he would take the similar discussion with the FIFA president about moving matches from Seattle and San Francisco, which are among the 16 locations across the continent.
The US is co-hosting the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada. The 48-team event is planned to be played from 11 June to July 19 next summer.
