In a dramatic twist ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, former President Donald Trump has ignited a firestorm by suggesting that matches scheduled for the Boston area could be relocated due to concerns over public safety and local leadership. The proposal, made on October 19, 2025, has sent shockwaves through the sports and political communities, raising questions about the true power behind World Cup hosting decisions and the potential impact on fans, teams, and local economies.
Trump’s remarks came during a week when World Cup preparations were already ramping up. The matches in question are set for Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, a site roughly 30 miles from Boston and home to the NFL’s New England Patriots. The stadium is slated to host seven World Cup games, including five group stage matches, a round of 32 clash, and a highly anticipated quarterfinal on July 9, 2026. With the tournament kicking off on June 11, 2026, and tickets reportedly sold out, the stakes for the region could hardly be higher.
But does a U.S. president actually have the authority to move World Cup matches? The answer, according to FIFA and a chorus of local officials, is a resounding no. The international football governing body finalized the hosting plan back in 2022, locking in 11 U.S. cities—including Boston—alongside venues in Mexico and Canada. These contracts are binding, and any attempt to alter them now would face enormous legal and logistical obstacles.
Victor Montagliani, FIFA’s vice president, made it clear at a recent sports business conference in London: “It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions.” Montagliani’s statement leaves little room for ambiguity. The U.S. presidency, no matter how influential, cannot unilaterally change the World Cup’s host sites. “Host site decisions belong solely to the organization,” he emphasized, reiterating that the final word rests with FIFA, not the White House.
Despite these facts, Trump doubled down on his stance in interviews and public appearances. He described Boston Mayor Michelle Wu as “intelligent” but a “radical left,” and claimed, “We could take them away. I love the people of Boston, and I know the games are sold out. But your mayor is not good.” Trump has repeatedly suggested that he could declare cities “not safe” and pressure FIFA to move matches elsewhere, even referencing his close relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “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 phenomenal -- and I would say, ‘Let’s move into another location’ and they would do that,” Trump said, adding, “He wouldn’t love to do it, but he’d do it very easily.”
The notion that FIFA would simply acquiesce to such a request has been met with skepticism and outright dismissal from local leaders. Mayor Wu, speaking with local media and on podcasts, questioned the feasibility of removing Boston from the World Cup lineup with less than a year to go. “There’s no ability to take away the World Cup games. There’s no real threat when it comes to saying cities are so unsafe that they can’t host the games,” Wu stated. She pointed out that almost everything is “locked down by contract,” making last-minute changes virtually impossible. “No individual, even if they live in the White House currently, can undo it,” she asserted confidently.
Boston officials are not alone in their confidence. Across the country, other host cities such as Atlanta have also brushed off the possibility of losing their World Cup games. Atlanta’s mayor and police chief both confirmed that safety and hosting agreements are firmly in place and that no changes are expected. “We remain prepared to host and have exceptional experience in doing so,” Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said, echoing the sentiment that the city is ready and committed to welcoming visitors from around the world. Local police departments have also highlighted recent improvements in public safety statistics, with Atlanta reporting significant drops in homicides and other violent crimes compared to previous years.
For FIFA, the issue is less about politics and more about logistics and contractual obligations. The organization has invested years into planning the 2026 tournament, which will feature a record 104 matches across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Changing venues now would disrupt arrangements for teams, fans, sponsors, and broadcasters, not to mention the massive economic implications for the affected regions. The Foxborough area, for example, has spent months preparing for an expected influx of international visitors, with local businesses, hotels, and tourism operators gearing up for a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
The threat of relocation has nevertheless sparked debate about the intersection of politics and sports. Trump’s comments have fueled speculation and concern among some fans and stakeholders, but the consensus among legal experts and sports officials is that the president’s threats are more rhetorical than practical. The host city contracts, finalized years in advance, are designed precisely to prevent last-minute political interference and ensure the smooth operation of global sporting events.
Behind the scenes, tournament organizers continue to move forward with preparations as planned. FIFA has not indicated any intention to change the current venue lineup, and local officials remain focused on delivering a successful tournament. “We are working closely with all partners to ensure the safety and security of every event,” a statement from Boston’s mayor’s office read. “There is no indication that hosting is in jeopardy.”
As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues, the spotlight remains fixed on Boston and the other American host cities. While the political rhetoric may have added a layer of uncertainty, the reality is that the matches are expected to proceed as scheduled. The region stands to benefit not only from the economic boost but also from the global exposure that comes with hosting one of the world’s most-watched sporting spectacles.
In the end, despite the heated debate and high-profile threats, the power to determine World Cup host cities rests firmly with FIFA. With contracts locked in and preparations well underway, Boston and Foxborough are poised to welcome the world next summer. For fans, players, and local businesses alike, all eyes are now on the pitch—not the political stage—as the 2026 tournament draws ever closer.
