Trump threatens to pull World Cup matches from Boston over city’s mayor
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Mr Donald Trump criticised Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, calling her "not good" and "radical left".
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump said on Oct 14 that he could consider relocating 2026 World Cup matches scheduled for the Boston area, citing public safety concerns and criticising Mayor Michelle Wu.
“We could take them away,” Mr Trump said when asked about Boston’s readiness to host. “I love the people of Boston, and I know the games are sold out. But your mayor is not good.”
“She’s intelligent, but she’s radical left, and they’re taking over parts of Boston,” he said.
“We could get them back in about two seconds. All she has to do is call us. We’ll go in and take them back, but she’s afraid to because she thinks it’s bad politically.”
Seven World Cup games are slated for Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, 48km south-west of Boston, as part of the 2026 tournament co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.
Football’s world governing body Fifa finalised the 16 host cities and match allocations in 2022.
Mr Trump suggested that he could appeal directly to Fifa president Gianni Infantino and get the games relocated.
“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,” Mr Trump said. “He wouldn’t love to do it, but he’d do it very easily.”
The authority to manage the tournament ultimately rests with Fifa.
Earlier in October, Fifa vice-president Victor Montagliani reiterated the body’s authority over venue decisions: “It’s Fifa’s tournament, Fifa’s jurisdiction. Fifa makes those decisions.”
Mr Trump’s remarks came during his White House appearance with Argentinian President Javier Milei, days after Boston police reported multiple arrests tied to a late-night street gathering that turned violent.
Ms Wu’s office did not immediately comment.
World Cup organisers have touted significant economic impact for host markets, with high demand reported since ticket applications opened.
Any late venue changes would entail extensive logistical and contractual hurdles, given that the tournament’s June 11 kick-off is eight months away.
The first match in Boston is scheduled for June 13, featuring teams from Group C on Day 3 of the tournament. REUTERS
