President Donald Trump has raised concerns about the safety of hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 matches in suburban Boston, threatening to relocate the games due to unrest in the city.
The matches are set to take place in Foxborough, Massachusetts, approximately 48 kilometers (30 miles) from Boston, as the United States cohosts the tournament alongside Mexico and Canada.
When discussing Boston’s Mayor, Michelle Wu, whom he described as ‘intelligent’ yet ‘radical left’, Trump stated, ‘We could take them away.’ He acknowledged the popularity of the games, which are sold out, but emphasized his disapproval of the mayor’s leadership.
Trump has previously issued similar threats concerning San Francisco and Seattle, repeating his warning about Boston during a recent podcast appearance.
While Trump has suggested that he could declare certain cities ‘not safe’ for the World Cup, altering the extensive hosting plans that FIFA confirmed in 2022, experts affirm that he lacks the authority to make such changes.
According to FIFA’s vice president, Victor Montagliani, the decision regarding host sites resides strictly with FIFA. ‘It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions,’ he stated recently during a sports business conference.
FIFA offered a subdued response to Trump’s remarks, asserting that safety and security are paramount for all FIFA events worldwide. They clarified that it is the government’s responsibility to determine public safety measures, stating, ‘We hope every one of our 16 Host Cities will be ready to successfully host and fulfil all necessary requirements.’
Responding to Trump’s claims, Wu questioned the feasibility of relocating the games with under a year to go before the tournament. She pointed out that contracts are already secured, and no single individual can change them, saying, ‘There’s no ability to take away the World Cup games.’
Furthermore, she dismissed Trump’s assertions about public safety, adding that there is ‘no real threat when it comes to saying cities are so unsafe that they can’t host the games.’
The FIFA World Cup 2026 in Boston will include seven matches at Gillette Stadium, including five group stage matches and a quarterfinal match scheduled for July 9, 2026. Local organizers were thrilled by the announcement of the match schedule, describing the opportunity to host such prominent games as exciting.
Mike Loynd, who heads Boston’s World Cup organizing committee, expressed enthusiasm about the match schedule, asserting, ‘It’s just a matter of excitement. For us, it’s a perfect schedule. I don’t think FIFA could have done a better job.’
The tournament is anticipated to deliver significant economic benefits, generating an estimated $1.1 billion impact, creating over 5,000 jobs, and producing more than $60 million in tax revenue for the region. Organizers also expect over two million visitors to descend upon New England during the 39-day tournament.
Gillette Stadium, host to the World Cup matches, is operated by Robert Kraft, who is both the owner of the NFL’s New England Patriots and Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution. Kraft played a pivotal role in promoting the United States’ bid to host the World Cup and has a long-standing relationship with Trump, having described himself as a ‘social friend’ of the president since the 1990s.
In a 2024 podcast interview, Kraft revealed that the only significant donation he made to Trump was a ‘strong donation to his inauguration’ following Trump’s election win in 2016. Furthermore, Kraft is known for gifting Trump a diamond-encrusted Super Bowl ring during Trump’s first term after the Patriots secured the NFL championship title.
Traditionally, sitting presidents receive gifts like personalized jerseys during celebratory White House visits, but Kraft went a step further, having the ring specially made for Trump to have something unique for his presidential library.
However, Kraft indicated that he has not spoken to Trump since the events of January 6, 2021, when the Capitol was attacked by Trump supporters.
Trump’s criticism of Boston and its leadership reflects his administration’s broader narrative against the city’s policies over the past year. His administration has targeted Boston’s sanctuary city policies and questioned the effectiveness of its law enforcement.
In September, the Trump administration even filed a lawsuit against Boston, claiming that its sanctuary city policies contravene federal law and contribute to public safety risks by enabling the release of dangerous individuals who should face deportation.
In response, Boston’s Democratic leadership has pushed back against federal political maneuvering, emphasizing the city’s historical low crime rates under Mayor Wu’s administration.
Wu frequently highlights the significant decline in gun violence during her first year, citing a record low for the city in 2024 with only 24 homicides, though that number has already been surpassed in 2025 with 27 reported homicides thus far according to police records.
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, the implications of Trump’s comments and the political tensions surrounding them will continue to unfold, shaping discussions about safety, hosting responsibilities, and the relationship between city and federal governance.
image source from：aljazeera
