Donald Trump threatens to move 2026 World Cup Games from Boston
President Donald Trump has sparked controversy after threatening to relocate World Cup matches set to be played near Boston next year, following a public disagreement with the city’s mayor, Michelle Wu.
Boston is one of eleven U.S. cities scheduled to host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the United States is co-hosting with Mexico and Canada. The games are set for Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts — home of the New England Patriots — about 30 miles from downtown Boston.
Speaking during a meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei, Trump hinted that he could pull the games from Boston entirely. “We could take them away,” he said. “I love the people of Boston, and I know the games are sold out. But your mayor is not good.”
He went on to suggest that “parts of Boston” had been “taken over,” without elaborating, before adding, “We could get them back in about two seconds.”
Can Trump Actually Take the Games Away?
While Trump’s comments made headlines, the power to change World Cup host cities does not lie with the White House. FIFA’s vice president Victor Montagliani reminded reporters that all host venues were finalized in 2022 and are under FIFA’s jurisdiction, not the U.S. government’s.
“It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions,” Montagliani said at a sports business conference in London.
Still, Trump insisted that he could act if he deemed conditions “unsafe.”
“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.”
He was referring to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, a longtime ally. “He wouldn’t love to do it, but he’d do it very easily,” Trump added.
The idea of relocating matches just eight months before the June 11, 2026 kickoff seems almost impossible, given the logistical, legal, and financial challenges involved.
What’s at Stake for Massachusetts
Foxborough is scheduled to host seven matches, including five group-stage games, a round-of-32 clash, and a quarterfinal on July 9, 2026. Local organizers had celebrated the schedule when it was announced last year.
“The later in the tournament, the more eyeballs,” said Mike Loynd, head of Boston’s World Cup organizing committee. “It’s a perfect schedule. I don’t think FIFA could have done a better job.”
The event is projected to generate $1.1 billion in local economic impact, create over 5,000 jobs, and bring in $60 million in tax revenue. Organizers expect more than two million visitors to pass through New England during the 39-day tournament. Losing those matches would deal a massive financial and reputational blow to the region.
Robert Kraft’s Connection to the World Cup — and Trump
Gillette Stadium is owned by Robert Kraft, who also owns the New England Patriots and Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution. Kraft played a key role in helping bring the World Cup back to the U.S., serving as honorary chair of the United Bid that secured the 2026 tournament.
Kraft and Trump have a long, complicated relationship. In a 2024 interview on The Breakfast Club, Kraft described himself as a “social friend” of Trump dating back to the 1990s. He said his only donation to Trump was for the presidential inauguration in 2017, though he also gifted Trump a diamond-encrusted Super Bowl ring following the Patriots’ 2016 championship win.
However, Kraft also noted that he hasn’t spoken to Trump since the January 6th Capitol riot in 2021.
A Political Feud With Boston
Boston’s mayor Michelle Wu, a Democrat, has been a frequent target of Trump and his administration. The dispute comes amid ongoing tension over the city’s sanctuary policies and law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Trump’s Justice Department has sued Boston over those policies, claiming they violate federal law by allowing the release of “dangerous criminals.” Wu, who is running unopposed for reelection, has pushed back, highlighting the city’s record-low crime rates.
Boston recorded 24 homicides in 2024, the fewest on record, though that number has slightly increased in 2025. Wu has framed her leadership as proof that the city remains safe and well-managed — directly contradicting Trump’s claim that parts of the city are “taken over.”
What Comes Next
For now, FIFA has not commented on Trump’s remarks, and the Boston organizing committee has said preparations are continuing as planned. But the episode underlines how the 2026 World Cup — the biggest in history with 104 matches — could become a political flashpoint in the run-up to next summer.
If Trump follows through on his threats, he would likely face legal resistance from FIFA, Massachusetts officials, and potentially other host cities worried about setting a precedent.
Still, his comments reflect a broader trend of politics creeping into sport — and how even the world’s most global tournament isn’t immune from Washington’s power struggles.
SportsLigue