🔗 Share this article

Boston's mayor, Michelle Wu, indicated that the municipality was ready for a confrontation with US President Donald Trump over his claim that he could order FIFA to remove World Cup tournament matches from the stadium in Foxborough, situated approximately 35 kilometers southwest of the city.

Wu appeared on a local podcast this week to address criticism from the White House, which had labeled her as "far-left." President 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 single person, even if they live in the White House, can undo it.

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

She further stated, "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." Wu finished by emphasizing her support for the Boston, saying, "Fully committed for Boston."

Trump's Statements and FIFA Role

Earlier this week, Infantino was seen alongside President Trump at the Gaza summit in Sharm el-Sheikh. The FIFA president has also been to the Oval Office and presented World Cup and Club World Cup awards to Trump as gifts.

Earlier, Trump was questioned on recent disturbances in South Boston that involved a police vehicle being set on fire. Trump responded, "If somebody is doing a bad job, and if I feel there's danger, I would call Infantino – 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 wouldn't love to do it. But he would do it very easily." The president also specifically targeted Wu, saying, "Their mayor is ineffective ... she's far-left, and they're dominating parts of Boston. That's a strong claim, right?"

Previous Warnings and Upcoming Tournament Details

Trump has made previous comments that he would have the similar discussion with the FIFA president about moving matches from other host cities, which are among the 16 host cities across North America.

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