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Boston's mayor, Michelle Wu, indicated that the city was ready for a confrontation with US President Donald Trump regarding his claim that he could instruct FIFA to relocate World Cup tournament games from the stadium in Foxborough, located approximately 35 kilometers south-west of the city.

Wu spoke on a Boston-based podcast this week to answer comments from the White House, which had labeled her as "far-left." Trump had threatened that he would contact the head of FIFA if Boston did not "clean up its act."

Much of it is locked down by contract so that no one, even if they live in the White House, can reverse it.

She added, "We're in a world where for attention, for power, for pushing the boundaries ... repeated warnings ... are directed at individuals and communities who stand their ground and comply or follow along to a hateful agenda."

She further stated, "We are going to continue being ourselves, and that means, unfortunately, we are going to be part of a discussion that is challenging what Boston stands for." She concluded by emphasizing her commitment for the Boston, declaring, "Fully committed for Boston."

The President's Comments and FIFA Involvement

Earlier this week, Infantino was seen with President Trump at the Gaza summit in Egypt. The FIFA president has also visited the Oval Office and given World Cup and Club World Cup trophies to the president as gifts.

Earlier, President Trump was asked about unrest in a Boston neighborhood that included a police vehicle being burned. He replied, "If things aren't handled well, and if I feel there's unsafe conditions, I would call Infantino – the president of FIFA, who's great."

Trump added, "I'd tell him: 'We should relocate the games' and they would comply. He wouldn't love to do it. But he would do it without hesitation." Trump also directly criticized Mayor Wu, stating, "Boston's mayor is ineffective ... she's far-left, and they're dominating parts of Boston. That's a pretty big statement, right?"

Past Threats and 2026 World Cup Details

President Trump has previously suggested that he would have the same conversation with the FIFA president about relocating games from Seattle and San Francisco, which are part of the 16 host cities across North America.

The United States is co-hosting the 2026 tournament with Mexico and Canada. The 48-team event is planned to be played from June 11 to July 19 next summer.