U.S. President, Donald Trump has threatened to relocate the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches scheduled to hold in Boston, citing alleged unrest and “unsafe conditions” in parts of the city.
The comments, made on Tuesday during a meeting with Argentina’s president, have sparked confusion and pushback from both FIFA officials and Boston city leaders, who insist that tournament logistics are not within the president’s authority.
Boston, one of 11 U.S. host cities, is set to stage seven matches at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough as the U.S. co-hosts the 2026 tournament alongside Mexico and Canada.
Gillette Stadium is home to the New England Patriots and located about 30 miles from downtown Boston.
“We could take them away, I love the people of Boston, and I know the games are sold out. But your mayor is not good,” Trump said.
He was referring to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, whom he described as “intelligent” but “radical left.”
“They’re Taking Over Parts of Boston” – Donald Trump Claims
President Trump claimed that “they’re taking over parts of Boston,” though he offered no further details.
His comments appeared to reference recent protests in the city, including a pro-Palestinian demonstration earlier this month that turned violent, resulting in several arrests and injuries to four police officers.
The president added that the matches could be relocated “in about two seconds,” should he deem the situation unsafe.
However, Mayor Michelle Wu’s office quickly issued a response:
“Boston is honored and excited to host World Cup matches, and we look forward to welcoming fans from around the world to our beautiful city, the cradle of liberty and city of champions.”
Trump’s Relationship with FIFA’s Infantino
Donald Trump, who maintains a close relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, suggested he could still influence any relocation decision.
“If somebody is doing a bad job, and if I feel there are unsafe conditions, I would call Gianni, the head of FIFA, who’s phenomenal and I would say, ‘Let’s move into another location,’ and they would do that,” Trump said.
“He wouldn’t love to do it, but he’d do it very easily.”
Infantino, however, has not commented publicly on the president’s latest remarks.
“Not Trump’s Call” – FIFA Pushes Back
FIFA officials have firmly dismissed the suggestion that any government leader can unilaterally alter host cities for the World Cup.
“It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction; FIFA makes those decisions,” said Victor Montagliani, FIFA vice president and president of Concacaf, at a sports business conference in London.
Montagliani explained that the sport is bigger than politics, stating:
“With all due respect to current world leaders, football is bigger than them, and football will survive their regimes, their governments, and their slogans.”
Complex Legal and Logistical Barriers
The 2026 World Cup is the first in history to feature 48 teams and 104 matches, spanning 11 U.S. cities, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
Host venues, including stadiums in New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, and Miami, are already under contract with FIFA.
Any changes at this stage with barely eight months before the tournament’s June 11 kickoff, would create major logistical and legal complications.
Update on Israel’s Suspension Appeal
Meanwhile, Montagliani also addressed speculation about Israel’s participation in World Cup qualifying, confirming that any such decision lies with UEFA, not FIFA.
“Israel is a member of UEFA, and they have to deal with it, I respect not only the process but also their decision,” he said.
Eight UN experts had earlier called on FIFA and UEFA to suspend Israel from international competition, a move the U.S. State Department said it would oppose.
