Boston's Leader Mayor Wu Addresses Trump's Threat to Relocate World Cup Matches from Boston
Boston's mayor, Michelle Wu, implied that the city was prepared for a confrontation with US President Donald Trump over his claim that he could instruct FIFA to remove World Cup matches from the stadium in Foxborough, situated 22 miles south-west of Boston.
Wu appeared on a Boston-based podcast this week to address comments from the White House, which had described her as "far-left." President Trump had threatened that he would call FIFA President Gianni Infantino if Boston did not "address its issues."
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 attention, for control, to test limits ... ongoing threats ... are directed at individuals and communities who stand their ground and comply or be obedient to a hateful agenda."
She also remarked, "We are going to continue being ourselves, and that means, sadly, we are going to be part of a discussion that is targeting what Boston stands for." Wu finished by emphasizing her commitment for the Boston, saying, "Fully committed for Boston."
The President's Statements and FIFA's Role
Earlier this week, FIFA President Gianni Infantino was photographed with President Trump at the international summit in Egypt. The FIFA president has also been to the White House and given World Cup and club championship trophies to the president as presents.
On Tuesday, President Trump was questioned on recent disturbances in a Boston neighborhood that involved a police car being burned. Trump responded, "If things aren't handled well, and if I feel there's danger, I would call Infantino – the head of the organization, who's great."
He added, "I would say: 'We should relocate the games' and they would do that. He wouldn't love to do it. But he would do it very easily." The president also directly criticized Wu, saying, "Boston's mayor is not good ... she's far-left, and they're dominating parts of Boston. That's a pretty big statement, right?"
Past Warnings and Upcoming Tournament Information
President 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 part of the 16 host cities across North America.
The US is joint hosts the 2026 tournament with Mexico and Canada. The 48-team event is planned to be held from 11 June to July 19 next summer.
