WASHINGTON (AP) — The President donald trump He suggested on Tuesday that some of next year’s World Cup matches in Boston had been “hijacked” by recent riots and threatened to move them.
The city will host seven games at the 2026 World Cup, with the United States co-hosting the event with Mexico and Canada. Asked about the city’s mayor, Michelle Wu, President Trump described her as “intelligent” but “radical leftist.”
“We could take them away,” Trump said of the game. “I love the people of Boston and I know the games are sold out. But your mayor is no good.”
He did not provide details, but suggested that they were “taking part of Boston,” but added, “We could take it back in about two seconds.”
Mr. Wu’s office did not respond to messages seeking comment.
President Trump’s comments came during a meeting with the Argentine president, but it was not immediately clear what he was referring to. But earlier this month, several arrests were made in connection with pro-Palestinian incidents. violent protests Four police officers were injured on Boston Common.
President Trump previously declared cities “unsafe” for the 104-game soccer tournament and suggested detailed plans for the event could be changed. FIFA approved in 2022. This includes NFL stadiums near New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
The World Cup venue is not President Trump’s preference. Eleven cities in the United States, three in Mexico and two in Canada have contracts with FIFA, but would face significant logistical and legal challenges to make changes in the eight months leading up to kickoff on June 11.
“This is a FIFA tournament, it is FIFA’s jurisdiction and FIFA will make the decision,” said Football Association vice-president Victor Montagliani. said earlier this month At the Sports Business Conference in London.
Still, Trump said, “If I felt that somebody was doing something wrong and there was a dangerous situation, I would call Gianni, the phenomenal FIFA chief, and I would say, ‘Let’s move somewhere else.’ And they would do it.”
President refers to FIFA president Gianni Infantino. close ally. President Trump said Infantino “doesn’t want to do it, but he could very easily do it.”
The Trump administration has already deployed the National Guard to Washington and Memphis, and plans for deployments in Chicago and Portland, Oregon, have sparked legal battles.
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Associated Press writer Michael Casey in Boston contributed to this report.
