Boston Mayor Mayor Wu Addresses President Trump's Warning to Relocate World Cup Games from Boston
The mayor of Boston, Mayor Wu, indicated that the city was ready for a face-off with President Donald Trump concerning his claim that he could order FIFA to relocate World Cup tournament games from Gillette Stadium, situated 22 miles south-west of the city.
Mayor Wu appeared on a local podcast this week to answer comments from the White House, which had described her as "radical left." Trump had warned that he would call the head of FIFA if Boston did not "clean up its act."
A great deal of it is secured by contract so that no single person, even if they live in the White House, can undo it.
She continued, "We live in a time where for drama, for power, for pushing the boundaries ... repeated warnings ... are directed at individuals and communities who stand their ground and comply or be obedient to a hateful agenda."
Mayor Wu further stated, "We will keep being ourselves, and that means, sadly, we are going to be part of a discussion that is challenging what Boston stands for." Wu finished by stressing her commitment for the Boston, declaring, "Ten toes down for our city."
Trump's Comments and FIFA Role
Earlier this week, FIFA President Gianni Infantino was seen alongside President Trump at the Gaza summit in Egypt. The FIFA president has also been to the Oval Office and given World Cup and club championship trophies to Trump as gifts.
On Tuesday, President Trump was questioned on unrest in a Boston neighborhood that involved a police vehicle being set on fire. He responded, "If things aren't handled well, and if I feel there's unsafe conditions, I would call Infantino – the president of FIFA, who's phenomenal."
He continued, "I would say: 'We should relocate the games' and they would comply. He wouldn't love to do it. But he would do it very easily." Trump also specifically targeted Mayor Wu, saying, "Boston's mayor is ineffective ... she's far-left, and they're taking over parts of Boston. That's a strong claim, right?"
Previous Threats and Upcoming Tournament Information
President Trump has previously suggested that he would take the similar discussion with the FIFA president about relocating games from Seattle and San Francisco, which are among the 16 locations across North America.
The US is joint hosts the 2026 World Cup with neighboring countries. The 48-team event is planned to be held from 11 June to July 19 next summer.
