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The mayor of Boston, Michelle Wu, indicated that the city was prepared for a dispute with US President Donald Trump over his claim that he could instruct FIFA to relocate World Cup matches from Gillette Stadium, located approximately 35 kilometers south-west of the city.

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

Much of it is secured by agreement so that no one, even the president, can undo it.

Wu continued, "We're in a world where for attention, for power, for pushing the boundaries ... ongoing threats ... are directed at people and cities who stand their ground and comply or follow along to a hateful agenda."

Mayor Wu also remarked, "We will keep being ourselves, and that means, sadly, we are going to be in a conversation that is targeting what Boston stands for." Wu concluded by stressing her support for the Boston, declaring, "Fully committed for Boston."

Trump's Comments and FIFA's Role

Earlier this week, FIFA President Gianni Infantino was photographed with President Trump at the international summit in Sharm el-Sheikh. Infantino has also visited the Oval Office and presented World Cup tournament and Club World Cup trophies to the president as presents.

On Tuesday, President Trump was questioned on recent disturbances in South Boston that involved a police car being burned. Trump replied, "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 great."

He added, "I'd tell him: 'Let's move into another location' and they would do that. He wouldn't love to do it. But he would do it without hesitation." Trump also specifically targeted Wu, saying, "Their mayor is not good ... she's far-left, and they're dominating some areas in Boston. That's a pretty big statement, right?"

Past Threats and Upcoming Tournament Information

Trump has previously suggested that he would have the same conversation with the FIFA president about moving matches from Seattle and San Francisco, which are part of the 16 locations across the continent.

The US is co-hosting the 2026 tournament with Mexico and Canada. The 48-team event is scheduled to be held from 11 June to 19 July in the coming year.