Foxboro, Massachusetts – In response to President Trump’s assertion that World Cup games may be relocated due to “dangerous conditions,” Massachusetts officials addressed his comments on Tuesday.
Boston is set to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with seven matches lined up at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
Trump referenced recent “street takeovers” in various Massachusetts towns as a source of concern.
While claiming his fondness for Bostonians, Trump remarked that Mayor Michelle Wu’s handling of the situation was “not good.” He suggested that if he believed there was a danger, he would contact the FIFA president. “I think he would move it elsewhere if needed. He could definitely do it now,” Trump stated.
“Boston better clean up their act,” he added succinctly.
In the evening, Wu issued a statement, avoiding direct reference to Trump. She expressed pride in hosting World Cup matches and enthusiasm for welcoming international fans to Boston, which she described as the “Cradle of Freedom and the City of Champions.”
On a different note, Massachusetts Senator Paul Feeney, a Democrat, took to social media, suggesting that Trump should call the President directly. He described the comments as “ridiculous, though not surprising,” also cautioning that moving the games could create significant complications, implying that such statements were more about politics than practicality.
Trump’s preference for World Cup sites is often questioned, as highlighted earlier this month during a conference in London, where FIFA officials reiterated that decisions regarding locations are ultimately in FIFA’s hands.
The eleven U.S. host cities, along with three in Mexico and two in Canada, are bound by contracts with FIFA, and altering these arrangements just months before the kickoff could present serious logistical and legal challenges.
Additionally, Trump mentioned that he might consider shifting the Summer Olympics from Los Angeles, scheduled for July 2028.
