The soccer world is abuzz after U.S. President Donald Trump reignited controversy this week by threatening to move 2026 FIFA World Cup matches out of Boston and other American cities he deems unsafe. Trump’s remarks, delivered in a series of interviews and press conferences from the White House, have drawn sharp responses from city officials, World Cup organizers, and FIFA itself, as the countdown to the tournament’s June 2026 kickoff accelerates.
At the heart of the dispute is Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, about 48 kilometers from Boston, which is slated to host seven World Cup matches. Trump, referencing recent unrest in the city and criticizing Boston Mayor Michelle Wu as “intelligent, but left radical,” suggested that Boston should be removed from the list of host cities. “We could have taken over those games. I love the people of Boston. I know game tickets have been sold out. However, your mayor is not good,” Trump said, according to several reports. He further hinted, without providing specifics, that part of Boston had been “taken over,” but claimed he could get it back “in about two seconds.”
Trump’s comments came on the heels of violent pro-Palestinian protests in Boston Common earlier this month, which resulted in four police officers being injured and several arrests. The president cited these incidents as evidence of unsafe conditions, a rationale he extended to other host cities, including Seattle and San Francisco, both of which have Democratic mayors and have previously drawn Trump’s ire over crime and immigration policies.
“If I think it isn’t safe, we’ll move it into a different city, absolutely,” Trump said during a White House press session. “If any city we think is gonna be even a little bit dangerous for the World Cup … we won’t allow it to go to [those cities], we’ll move it around a little bit. But I hope that’s not going to happen.” He added that if he felt conditions were unsafe, he would call FIFA President Gianni Infantino, whom he described as a “phenomenal” ally, to request a relocation of matches. “He wouldn’t love to do it, but he’d do it. Very easily, he’d do it,” Trump asserted.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu wasted no time in responding. In an official statement issued on October 14, Wu declared, “Boston are honored and delighted to host the 2026 World Cup games. We look forward to welcoming fans from all over the world to our beautiful city, the birthplace of freedom and the cities of the champions.” She also appeared on the program ‘Java with Jimmy,’ where she pushed back against Trump’s threats: “Much of it is locked down by contract so that no single person, even if they live in the White House currently, can undo it. We’re in a world where for drama, for control, for pushing the boundaries … ongoing threats … are issued to individuals and communities who refuse to back down and comply or be obedient to a hateful agenda. We are going to continue to be who we are and that means, unfortunately, we are going to be in a conversation in a way that is targeting Boston’s values. Ten toes down for Boston.”
She wasn’t alone. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell also took a public stand, stating, “President Trump continues to display his ignorance about our city. We are doing the hard work to prepare for this once-in-a-generation opportunity to welcome the world to Seattle. The facts are clear: violent crime is down 20% in Seattle. We are making record-breaking progress on police hiring with nearly 130 officers hired this year. My proposed 2026 budget also makes additional investments in safety preparations for the World Cup, including new removable vehicle barriers at Pike Place Market and Seattle Center campus. While we are doing our part to make safety improvements ahead of hosting games, the Trump administration has made our city less safe by withholding critical funding for counterterrorism tools.”
FIFA, soccer’s global governing body, has tried to keep above the fray, but its statements have done little to quell speculation. In a written reply to Field Level Media, a FIFA spokesperson said, “Safety and security are the top priorities at all FIFA events worldwide. Safety and security are obviously the governments’ responsibility, and they decide what is in the best interest for public safety. We hope every one of our 16 Host Cities will be ready to successfully host and fulfill all necessary requirements.” FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani echoed this sentiment, noting that, “This is a FIFA tournament, FIFA jurisdiction. FIFA made the decision.” He emphasized the significant logistical and legal hurdles of changing host cities within eight months of the tournament’s start.
Despite Trump’s threats, the reality is more complicated. The selection of World Cup host cities is governed by contracts signed between FIFA and local entities, agreements that date back to 2017 and were updated in 2022. The federal government is not a direct party to these contracts, limiting the president’s authority to unilaterally move matches. Legal experts and city officials agree that, while FIFA could theoretically relocate games if a city is deemed unsafe, such a move would be fraught with logistical nightmares and likely legal challenges. “Public safety officials, including our Republican-appointed Police Board, are working daily to ensure the games in Kansas City are safe for all,” Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said. “I am confident in their work. FIFA loves Kansas City and Kansas City loves FIFA. We’ll be fine.”
Other host cities, including New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Houston, have affirmed their commitment to security and their readiness to host. “Formal agreements are in place between each Host City and FIFA, and we continue to work closely with FIFA and our local, state, and federal partners to ensure a safe and secure tournament, which remains our top priority,” said Natalie Hamilton, a spokeswoman for the New York/New Jersey host committee.
The 2026 World Cup marks the first time the tournament will feature 48 teams, with the United States set to host 78 of the 104 matches. The event is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, with the final to be held at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey. In addition to Boston, Seattle, and San Francisco, other U.S. host cities include Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, and Philadelphia. Mexico and Canada will also host matches in Monterrey, Guadalajara, Mexico City, Toronto, and Vancouver.
As for the question on everyone’s mind—can Trump actually make good on his threat?—the answer appears to be not without substantial resistance. While he may have a close relationship with Infantino and some leverage via federal security funding, the contracts and planning already in place make wholesale changes highly unlikely this close to kickoff. As FIFA’s spokesperson summed up, “We hope every one of our 16 host cities will be ready to fulfill all necessary requirements for a successful 2026 World Cup.”
With the eyes of the world on American cities, the focus now shifts from political posturing to practical preparations. As things stand, Boston, Seattle, and the rest of the chosen cities remain on track to host the world’s biggest sporting event—unless dramatic developments force FIFA’s hand in the months ahead.
