🔗 Share this article

Boston's mayor, Michelle Wu, indicated that the city was ready for a confrontation with US President Donald Trump concerning his claim that he could instruct FIFA to remove World Cup tournament games from Gillette Stadium, situated approximately 35 kilometers south-west of the city.

Mayor Wu appeared on a Boston-based podcast recently to answer criticism from the Trump administration, which had labeled her as "radical left." President Trump had warned that he would contact FIFA President Gianni Infantino if Boston did not "address its issues."

A great deal of it is locked down by agreement so that no one, even the president, can change it.

She continued, "We're in a world where for attention, for control, to test limits ... ongoing threats ... are issued at people and cities who refuse to back down and submit or follow along to a hateful agenda."

She also remarked, "We are going to continue being ourselves, and that means, sadly, we are going to be part of a discussion that is challenging what Boston stands for." She finished by emphasizing her support for the city, saying, "Ten toes down for our city."

The President's Statements and FIFA Involvement

Earlier this week, FIFA President Gianni Infantino was photographed alongside President Trump at the Gaza summit in Sharm el-Sheikh. Infantino has also been to the White House and presented World Cup and club championship awards to Trump as gifts.

On Tuesday, President Trump was questioned on recent disturbances in South Boston that involved a police vehicle being burned. Trump responded, "If things aren't handled well, and if I feel there's unsafe conditions, I would call Infantino – the head of FIFA, 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 without hesitation." The president also specifically targeted Mayor Wu, stating, "Their mayor is ineffective ... she's radical left, and they're dominating parts of Boston. That's a pretty big statement, right?"

Previous Threats and Upcoming Tournament Details

President Trump has made previous comments that he would take the same conversation with Infantino about relocating games from other host cities, which are part of the 16 host cities across the continent.

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