President Donald Trump says he has the authority to ‘take away’ 2026 World Cup soccer matches scheduled in Boston if he feels the city is unsafe.
Suggesting that parts of Boston had been ‘taken over’ by recent unrest, Trump criticized mayor Michelle Wu and said on Tuesday, Oct. 14, that Boston – which is set to stage seven matches at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough during next summer’s tournament – could have its games relocated with a phone call to FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
‘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.’
Trump’s remarks came during a White House appearance with Argentine President Javier Milei, days after Boston police reported multiple arrests tied to a late-night street gathering that turned violent.
Boston was one of 11 U.S. cities, along with three in Mexico and two in Canada, selected three years ago to host matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Making changes to plans already in place just eight months before the tournament kicks off June 11 would create severe logistical hurdles.
‘We could take them away,’ Trump said. ‘I love the people of Boston, and I know the games are sold out. But your mayor is not good.’
Wu’s office issued a statement that 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.’
Trump also suggested that he would consider moving the 2028 Summer Olympics out of Los Angeles for similar reasons.
‘If I thought L.A. was not going to be prepared properly, I would move it to another location if I had to.’