🔗 Share this article

The mayor of Boston, Michelle Wu, implied that the municipality was prepared for a face-off with President Donald Trump concerning his assertion that he could order FIFA to relocate World Cup matches from Gillette Stadium, situated 22 miles southwest of the city.

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

Much of it is secured by contract so that no single person, even the president, can reverse it.

She added, "We're in a world where for attention, for control, to test limits ... repeated warnings ... are issued at individuals and communities who stand their ground and submit or be obedient to a hateful agenda."

Mayor Wu further stated, "We will keep being ourselves, and that means, unfortunately, we are going to be in a conversation that is targeting what Boston stands for." Wu finished by emphasizing her commitment for the Boston, saying, "Fully committed for Boston."

The President's Comments and FIFA Role

Earlier this week, FIFA President Gianni Infantino was seen with President Trump at the international summit in Egypt. Infantino has also been to the Oval Office and given World Cup and Club World Cup awards to the president as presents.

Earlier, President Trump was asked about recent disturbances in South Boston that included a police vehicle being burned. He responded, "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."

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

Previous Warnings and 2026 World Cup Information

Trump has previously suggested that he would have the similar discussion with the FIFA president about moving matches from Seattle and San Francisco, which are part of the 16 locations across North America.

The United States is joint hosts the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada. The 48-team event is planned to be played from June 11 to July 19 in the coming year.