NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
President Donald Trump’s threats to move matches scheduled in the Boston area to 2026 FIFA WC could become a reality after soccer’s international body said the US government has the final say when it comes to host city security.
A FIFA spokesperson told ESPN that governments have the final say in deciding “what is in the best interest of public safety.”
U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino speak in the Oval Office of the White House after signing an executive order for a task force related to the FIFA World Cup in Washington, DC, March 7, 2025. (Jim WATSON/AFP)
“Safety and security are the top priorities at all FIFA events worldwide,” the spokesman told the paper. “Safety and security are of course the responsibility of governments and they decide what is in the best interest of public safety.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
“We hope that each and every one of our 16 host cities will be ready to host and meet all necessary requirements.”
Pakinomist Digital reached out to FIFA for comment.
The situation surrounding Boston’s position as one of the host cities for next year’s tournament began this week when Trump suggested that he would have games moved out of Boston while discussing an incident that took place in the city this week, when a group of people took over one of the city’s streets in a violent display.
“We can take them away. I love the people of Boston. And I know the games are sold out, but the mayor is no good. There’s worse than her. At least she’s intelligent. You know, some have extremely low IQs. They bother me more. She’s intelligent, but she’s radical left,” Trump said of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.
Mayor Wu speaks as the mayor and city leaders hold a press conference on violence and drug use in the DTC on February 26, 2025. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald via Getty Images)
TRUMP REITERATES THREATS TO MOVE WORLD CUP GAMES AWAY FROM BOSTON AFTER MAYOR PROMOTES CURRENT HOSTING RIGHTS
The president added that he could call on FIFA president Gianni Infantino to make the move happen if he felt it was necessary.
“The answer is yes, if someone is doing a bad job and if I feel there are unsafe conditions, I would call Gianni, the FIFA boss, who is phenomenal, and I would say: ‘Let’s move it to another place’, and he would do it. He wouldn’t love to do it, but he wanted to do the right thing – and it’s very easy, he does it here.”
Trump doubled down on his threat Wednesday, adding that “We have the right to do that with FIFA” if the city doesn’t “fix it.”
“If we think there’s any reason, whether it’s Boston or anywhere else, that they’re not doing their job, then we’ll take those World Cup games and move them somewhere else.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, right, presents the FIFA World Cup Winners Trophy to President Donald Trump during an announcement in the Oval Office of the White House on Friday, August 22, 2025, in Washington, DC (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
In a statement to Pakinomist Digital, Wu said the city is “honored and excited to host World Cup matches, and we look forward to welcoming fans from around the world to our beautiful city, the cradle of freedom and the city of champions.”
Boston is currently set to host seven games when the World Cup comes to North America next summer. The schedule includes five group stage matches, a round of 32 and the first quarter-final on July 9.
