Boston Mayor Mayor Wu Addresses Trump's Warning to Relocate World Cup Games from Boston
Boston's mayor, Mayor Wu, implied that the city was ready for a confrontation with President Donald Trump regarding his assertion that he could instruct FIFA to relocate World Cup matches from the stadium in Foxborough, situated 22 miles southwest of Boston.
Wu spoke on a Boston-based podcast this week to answer comments from the White House, which had labeled her as "radical left." Trump had warned that he would contact FIFA President Gianni Infantino if Boston did not "clean up its act."
A great deal of it is locked down by contract so that no one, even the president, can undo it.
Wu added, "We're in a world where for drama, for control, for pushing the boundaries ... ongoing threats ... are issued at people and cities who stand their ground and submit or follow along to a divisive plan."
Mayor Wu further stated, "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." She concluded by stressing her support for the city, declaring, "Ten toes down for our city."
Trump's Statements and FIFA Role
Recently, Infantino was seen alongside Trump at the Gaza summit in Sharm el-Sheikh. The FIFA president has also visited the White House and given World Cup and Club World Cup trophies to the president as presents.
Earlier, Trump was questioned on unrest in a Boston neighborhood that involved a police car being set on fire. Trump replied, "If things aren't handled well, and if I feel there's unsafe conditions, I would call Gianni – the head of the organization, who's phenomenal."
Trump continued, "I'd tell him: 'We should relocate the games' and they would do that. He might not prefer it. But he would do it without hesitation." The president also specifically targeted Wu, saying, "Their mayor is not good ... she's far-left, and they're dominating parts of Boston. That's a pretty big statement, right?"
Previous Warnings and Upcoming Tournament Information
President Trump has previously suggested that he would have the same conversation with Infantino about moving games from other host cities, which are part of the 16 host cities across the continent.
The US is joint hosts the 2026 tournament with Mexico and Canada. The expanded tournament is scheduled to be held from June 11 to July 19 next summer.
