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The mayor of Boston, Michelle Wu, indicated that the city was prepared for a face-off with US President Donald Trump over his assertion that he could instruct FIFA to relocate World Cup tournament games from the stadium in Foxborough, located approximately 35 kilometers southwest of the city.

Wu appeared on a Boston-based podcast this week to answer comments from the White House, which had described her as "radical left." President Trump had warned that he would call FIFA President Gianni Infantino if Boston did not "clean up its act."

A great deal of it is locked down by agreement so that no one, even if they live in the White House, can reverse it.

Wu added, "We live in a time where for attention, for power, to test limits ... ongoing threats ... are directed at individuals and communities who stand their ground and submit or be obedient to a hateful agenda."

Mayor Wu also remarked, "We will keep being ourselves, and that means, sadly, we are going to be in a conversation that is challenging what Boston stands for." Wu finished by emphasizing her commitment for the Boston, saying, "Fully committed for Boston."

Trump's Comments and FIFA Involvement

Earlier this week, FIFA President Gianni Infantino was photographed alongside President Trump at the international summit in Sharm el-Sheikh. Infantino has also visited the White House and given World Cup and club championship trophies to the president as gifts.

On Tuesday, Trump was questioned on unrest in a Boston neighborhood that involved a police car being set on fire. Trump responded, "If somebody is doing a bad job, and if I feel there's unsafe conditions, I would call Gianni – the head of the organization, who's great."

He continued, "I'd tell him: 'Let's move into another location' and they would do that. He wouldn't love to do it. But he would do it very easily." The president also directly criticized Wu, stating, "Their mayor is not good ... she's radical left, and they're taking over parts of Boston. That's a pretty big statement, right?"

Past Threats and 2026 World Cup Details

Trump has made previous comments that he would take the similar discussion with Infantino about moving games from other host cities, which are among the 16 locations across the continent.

The United States is joint hosts the 2026 tournament with Mexico and Canada. The expanded tournament is planned to be played from June 11 to July 19 next summer.