Former President Donald Trump has suggested relocating FIFA World Cup 2026 matches scheduled for the Boston area due to safety concerns and criticism of local leadership. The proposal, made on October 19, 2025, targets games at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. FIFA officials have firmly stated that such decisions remain under their sole jurisdiction.
On October 19, 2025, Donald Trump ignited controversy by proposing to move FIFA World Cup 2026 matches from the Boston area, citing public safety issues and dissatisfaction with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. The affected venue is Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, approximately 30 miles from Boston and home to the NFL's New England Patriots. The stadium is set to host seven matches, including five group-stage games, a round of 32 clash, and a quarterfinal on July 9, 2026. The tournament is scheduled to begin on June 11, 2026, with tickets already sold out, and will feature a record 104 matches across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Trump described Wu as 'intelligent' but a 'radical left' leader, stating, '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.' He claimed he could declare cities 'not safe' and contact FIFA President Gianni Infantino to relocate the games, saying, '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.'
FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani dismissed the idea at a recent sports business conference in London, emphasizing, 'It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions.' He added that host site decisions belong solely to the organization. The hosting plan was finalized in 2022 with binding contracts for 11 U.S. cities, making last-minute changes legally and logistically challenging.
Mayor Wu pushed back, asserting, 'There’s no ability to take away the World Cup games. There’s no real threat... almost everything is locked down by contract.' She stressed, 'No individual, even if they live in the White House currently, can undo it.' Boston's mayor's office confirmed, 'We are working closely with all partners to ensure the safety and security of every event. There is no indication that hosting is in jeopardy.'
Other host cities, like Atlanta, echoed confidence in their preparations. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said, 'We remain prepared to host and have exceptional experience in doing so.' The threat has raised concerns about economic impacts on local tourism and businesses in the Foxborough region, which has prepared for an influx of international visitors.