President Donald Trump on Tuesday publicly threatened to move the upcoming 2026 World Cup matches scheduled to be held at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, citing concerns over recent unrest in Boston. The tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, includes seven matches set for the Massachusetts venue. Trump suggested that safety issues could warrant relocating the games, which are part of a broader FIFA-approved multi-city plan.
In comments made during a meeting with Argentina’s president, Trump referred to unrest in Boston and criticized Boston’s mayor, Michelle Wu, for what he characterized as “radical left” policies. “We could take them away,” Trump said, implying that the matches could be moved elsewhere. He added, “I love the people of Boston, and I know the games are sold out. But your mayor is not good.” Trump claimed there were “parts of Boston” that had been “taken over” but did not specify the incidents he was referencing, despite recent arrests linked to violent protests at the Boston Common.
Wu’s office responded swiftly, emphasizing Boston’s pride in hosting the World Cup. The statement read, “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.”
The president’s comments come amid ongoing concerns over security in Boston, following recent protests and police injuries. Trump’s flirtation with relocating the matches echoes previous threats, as he has previously suggested he could declare certain cities “not safe” for the tournament and seek alternate venues.
FIFA, the international governing body for football, maintains that host city decisions are under its jurisdiction. FIFA vice president Victor Montagliani reaffirmed earlier this month that the tournament venues are fixed, with contracts in place for the U.S. cities, along with host sites in Mexico and Canada. Altering the host cities at this stage would involve significant logistical and legal challenges, especially with the tournament set to commence in June 2026.
Trump, however, indicated that he could leverage FIFA’s leadership, suggesting that if safety conditions deteriorate, he would contact FIFA President Gianni Infantino to facilitate a move. “If somebody is doing a bad job, and if I feel there are unsafe conditions, I would call Gianni — the head of FIFA — and suggest relocating the matches,” Trump said. He claimed Infantino “wouldn’t love to do it, but he’d do it very easily,” despite FIFA’s firmly established plans.
The volatile political and security climate in Boston has raised questions about the tournament’s planning, but officials and FIFA remain committed to the original host arrangements, signaling that such threats are unlikely to alter the course of the world’s premier football event.
