Boston Mayor Michelle Wu Responds to President Trump's Threat to Move FIFA World Cup Games from Boston

Boston's mayor, Michelle Wu, suggested that the municipality was ready for a confrontation with US President Donald Trump concerning his claim that he could order FIFA to relocate World Cup tournament matches from Gillette Stadium, located 22 miles southwest of the city.

Wu appeared on a Boston-based podcast this week to respond to criticism from the White House, which had labeled her as "far-left." Trump had warned that he would call the head of FIFA if Boston did not "address its issues."

A great deal of it is secured by contract so that no one, even if they live in the White House, can change it.

Wu continued, "We're in a world where for drama, for power, for pushing the boundaries ... ongoing threats ... are directed at people and cities who refuse to back down and comply or follow along to a divisive plan."

Mayor Wu also remarked, "We are going to continue being who we are, and that means, sadly, we are going to be in a conversation that is targeting Boston's values." Wu concluded by emphasizing her commitment for the city, declaring, "Ten toes down for Boston."

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 been to the White House and given World Cup tournament and club championship trophies to Trump as presents.

Earlier, President Trump was asked about recent disturbances in a Boston neighborhood that included a police vehicle being burned. Trump replied, "If somebody is doing a bad job, and if I feel there's danger, I would call Infantino – the president of FIFA, who's great."

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 very easily." The president also directly criticized Mayor Wu, stating, "Their mayor is not good ... she's far-left, and they're dominating parts of Boston. That's a strong claim, right?"

Previous Warnings and 2026 World Cup Information

President Trump has previously suggested that he would have the similar discussion with the FIFA president about relocating games from Seattle and San Francisco, which are among the 16 locations across the continent.

The US is co-hosting the 2026 tournament with Mexico and Canada. The 48-team event is scheduled to be held from 11 June to 19 July in the coming year.