U.S. President Donald Trump issued a warning on Tuesday regarding the World Cup matches scheduled to take place in the suburban area of Boston next year. Trump expressed concerns about potential unrest in parts of the city and suggested the possibility of relocating the matches. Foxborough, Massachusetts, where the NFL’s New England Patriots play, is slated to host matches as part of the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S. is co-hosting with Mexico and Canada.
During a discussion about Boston’s mayor, Michelle Wu, whom he described as “intelligent” but “radical left,” Trump hinted at the idea of moving the World Cup games due to his dissatisfaction with the mayor. He mentioned that although he appreciates the people of Boston and the sold-out games, he criticized the mayor’s performance.
Without providing specific details, Trump insinuated that certain areas of Boston were being overrun but implied that the situation could be rectified swiftly if necessary. The Trump administration has previously dispatched National Guard troops to Washington and Memphis, with attempts to do the same in Chicago and Portland leading to legal disputes.
Following Trump’s comments during a meeting with Argentina President Javier Milei, it remains unclear what exactly he was alluding to regarding the situation in Boston. However, recent incidents, such as arrests related to a violent pro-Palestinian protest at Boston Common, may have influenced Trump’s remarks.
Despite Trump’s assertions that he could designate cities as “unsafe” for the World Cup and potentially alter hosting plans, FIFA holds the authority over host sites for the tournament. The hosting agreement with FIFA involves 11 U.S. cities, three in Mexico, and two in Canada, making any changes challenging to implement at this stage.
While Trump suggested the possibility of contacting FIFA President Gianni Infantino to consider relocating the games if safety concerns arise, FIFA’s vice president Victor Montagliani emphasized that FIFA ultimately makes decisions regarding tournament logistics. Trump acknowledged Infantino as a capable leader and implied that FIFA could accommodate any necessary changes if safety issues persisted.