Donald Trump Warns of Moving World Cup Matches from Boston Over Safety and Political Concerns

Washington, October 15: Former U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that he might push for the relocation of 2026 FIFA World Cup matches currently scheduled to take place in the Boston area, citing concerns about public safety and taking a dig at Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. Speaking on Tuesday, Trump said he could consider asking FIFA to move the matches if he felt the situation in Boston was unsafe. “We could take them away,” he said when asked about the city’s readiness to host the global sporting event. “I love the people of Boston, and I know the games are sold out. But your mayor is not good.” Trump criticized Mayor Wu, calling her “intelligent but radical left,” and accused her of losing control over some parts of the city. “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,” he added. Seven World Cup matches are planned to take place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, which lies about 30 miles southwest of Boston. The stadium was confirmed as one of the 16 official host venues by FIFA in 2022 for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. During his remarks, Trump suggested that if needed, he could reach out directly to FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request that the games be moved elsewhere. “If somebody is doing a bad job, and if I feel there’s 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.” However, decisions about venue changes rest entirely with FIFA. Earlier this month, FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani emphasized that the organization alone has the authority to decide on tournament venues. “It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction. FIFA makes those decisions,” he said. Trump’s comments came during a White House appearance alongside Argentine President Javier Milei. His remarks followed reports from Boston police of several arrests after a recent late-night street gathering turned violent. Mayor Wu’s office has not yet issued an official response to Trump’s statements. The 2026 World Cup is expected to deliver a major economic boost to host cities, with significant demand for tickets since applications opened earlier this year. Boston organizers have promoted the event as an opportunity to bring in international visitors and generate substantial local revenue. Given that the tournament kicks off on June 11 next year, with Boston’s first match scheduled for June 13, any relocation at this stage would pose serious logistical and contractual challenges. Preparations for the event, including stadium upgrades, infrastructure planning, and accommodation arrangements, have been underway for months. While Trump’s remarks have sparked attention, FIFA has not indicated any plans to reconsider its host city allocations. For now, Boston remains set to welcome fans from around the world when the World Cup begins next summer. Donald Trump Warns of Moving 2026 World Cup Games from Boston Former U.S. President Donald Trump said he may ask FIFA to relocate 2026 World Cup matches scheduled in the Boston area, citing public safety concerns and criticizing Mayor Michelle Wu’s leadership. Speaking on Tuesday, Trump claimed the city was not being managed well and suggested he could easily have the games moved if conditions were unsafe. Seven matches are currently set to take place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, about 30 miles from Boston. FIFA has stated that final decisions about venues rest solely with the organization.