Trump Threatens to Yank World Cup Games from Boston/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump has threatened to move 2026 FIFA World Cup matches out of the Boston area, citing alleged safety concerns and criticizing Mayor Michelle Wu. However, FIFA—not the White House—holds authority over host city decisions. Boston officials affirmed their readiness to welcome the world next summer.
Trump Targets Boston World Cup Plans: Quick Looks
- Trump threatens to remove World Cup matches from Foxborough, near Boston
- FIFA has final say over host cities, not the U.S. president
- Trump criticizes Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, calling her “radical left”
- Boston protests referenced, though link to games is unclear
- Mayor Wu’s office reaffirms excitement to host the international event
- Foxborough’s Gillette Stadium set to host 2026 World Cup games
- FIFA vice president says host cities are locked in
- Trump claims he could influence FIFA via Gianni Infantino
- Legal and logistical barriers would make any venue change difficult
- Other host cities include New York, LA, San Francisco, plus cities in Canada and Mexico
Deep Look: Trump Threatens to Remove Boston from 2026 World Cup Hosting Plan — But FIFA Has Final Say
WASHINGTON — October 14, 2025
President Donald Trump issued a provocative threat on Tuesday to pull World Cup matches from the Boston area, questioning the city’s safety and taking aim at Democratic Mayor Michelle Wu. The comments came despite the fact that the decision to host 2026 World Cup games in specific U.S. cities lies entirely with FIFA, not the White House.
Speaking during a meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei, Trump stated, “We could take them away,” referring to the matches scheduled to be held at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, roughly 30 miles south of Boston. “I love the people of Boston and I know the games are sold out. But your mayor is not good.”
The criticism appeared to stem from recent pro-Palestinian protests on Boston Common, which resulted in several arrests and injuries to four police officers. Trump, without offering specifics, claimed that “they’re taking over parts of Boston,” adding, “we could get them back in about two seconds.”
FIFA Holds Control Over World Cup Sites
Despite Trump’s remarks, the hosting rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are not subject to presidential approval. The tournament — to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada — includes 11 U.S. cities that were selected in 2022 by FIFA after a comprehensive bidding process. Foxborough, along with cities like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, is under contract with FIFA.
“It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions,” said Victor Montagliani, FIFA Vice President, during a recent conference in London.
Any last-minute change in host cities would involve massive logistical and legal challenges, especially with less than eight months until the tournament kicks off on June 11, 2026.
Trump’s Comments Met with Pushback
Mayor Wu’s office declined to address Trump directly but issued a diplomatic statement reaffirming Boston’s commitment:
“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, however, suggested he could persuade FIFA President Gianni Infantino, a known political ally, to relocate matches if conditions warranted.
“If somebody is doing a bad job… 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 claimed.
He added that Infantino “wouldn’t love to do it, but he’d do it very easily.”
Broader Themes: Law and Order Narrative
Trump’s remarks align with his broader campaign narrative of law-and-order governance, as his administration continues deploying National Guard troops to select U.S. cities. Troops are currently active in Washington and Memphis, while proposed deployments in Chicago and Portland have faced legal resistance.
The president’s suggestion that cities deemed “unsafe” could be blacklisted from global events like the World Cup follows similar threats made in recent months, although none have materialized into actual policy shifts.
What’s at Stake?
Trump’s comments add political tension to what is supposed to be a unifying global sporting event. FIFA has carefully planned the 104-game tournament across North America with a focus on infrastructure, international coordination, and market viability. Any disruption to these plans would carry significant financial and diplomatic consequences.
Still, with Boston’s local leaders standing firm and FIFA reiterating its authority, the likelihood of Trump unilaterally altering host city plans appears slim — but the political theater around it is likely just beginning.
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