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Boston's mayor, Michelle Wu, suggested that the municipality was ready for a confrontation with US President Donald Trump regarding his assertion that he could instruct FIFA to relocate World Cup games from Gillette Stadium, located 22 miles southwest of the city.

Wu appeared on a local podcast this week to address comments from the White House, which had labeled her as "radical left." Trump had warned that he would contact FIFA President Gianni Infantino if Boston did not "improve its situation."

Much of it is locked down by contract so that no one, even the president, can reverse it.

Wu added, "We're in a world where for attention, for control, to test limits ... ongoing threats ... are issued at individuals and communities who refuse to back down and submit or be obedient to a divisive plan."

She further stated, "We are going to continue being ourselves, and that means, unfortunately, we are going to be in a conversation that is targeting Boston's values." She finished by emphasizing her support for the Boston, saying, "Fully committed for Boston."

Trump's Comments and FIFA's Role

Recently, FIFA President Gianni Infantino was photographed alongside President Trump at the international summit in Sharm el-Sheikh. The FIFA president has also been to the Oval Office and given World Cup tournament and club championship awards to Trump as gifts.

Earlier, President Trump was asked about unrest in a Boston neighborhood that included a police car being burned. He responded, "If things aren't handled well, and if I feel there's danger, I would call Infantino – the president of FIFA, who's phenomenal."

He added, "I would say: '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." The president also specifically targeted Wu, saying, "Boston's mayor is ineffective ... she's radical left, and they're taking over parts of Boston. That's a strong claim, right?"

Previous Warnings and 2026 World Cup Details

President Trump has made previous comments that he would take the similar discussion with the FIFA president about relocating games from other host cities, which are part of the 16 locations across North America.

The US is joint hosts the 2026 tournament with neighboring countries. The expanded tournament is planned to be held from 11 June to 19 July next summer.