Trump Threatens to Move 2026 World Cup Matches from Boston
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump hinted that he might relocate the 2026 World Cup matches set for Boston if the city experiences “dangerous conditions.”
Trump, addressing the upcoming World Cup, commented, “We can take them away,” and went on to express his discontent with Boston’s Democratic Mayor Michelle Wu, describing her leadership as “not good.” He emphasized his willingness to escalate concerns directly to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, stating, “The head of FIFA is a phenomenal person… if I say, ‘Let’s move somewhere else,’ they will do it,” adding that Infantino might not want to move but could easily comply.
Boston recorded 24 homicides in 2024, the lowest figure since 1957, as per reports. However, in 2025, that number has already reached 27 incidents.
In response, Mayor Wu expressed the city’s excitement about hosting World Cup events, stating, “Boston is honored and excited to host World Cup games. We look forward to welcoming fans from around the world to our beautiful city, the cradle of freedom and the city of champions.”
Boston is among 11 U.S. cities selected to host matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which also includes major urban centers like Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, and Los Angeles. Earlier in March, Trump established a White House task force to oversee preparations for the events.
Wu’s administration has faced scrutiny recently due to a series of arrests and scandals involving city employees, prompting calls for urgent reforms in hiring practices. In August, she vowed to protect undocumented immigrants in Boston, directly opposing actions from the Trump administration. Additionally, she previously compared ICE agents to members of a neo-Nazi group due to their use of masks.
