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The mayor of Boston, Michelle Wu, implied that the municipality was prepared for a dispute with President Donald Trump over his assertion that he could order FIFA to relocate World Cup matches from Gillette Stadium, located 22 miles southwest of the city.

Wu spoke on a Boston-based podcast this week to address criticism from the Trump administration, which had described her as "far-left." President Trump had warned that he would contact FIFA President Gianni Infantino if Boston did not "address its issues."

A great deal of it is secured by agreement so that no single person, even the president, can reverse it.

Wu added, "We're in a world where for attention, for power, to test limits ... ongoing threats ... are directed at people and cities who stand their ground and submit or be obedient to a divisive plan."

Mayor Wu also remarked, "We will keep being who we are, and that means, sadly, we are going to be part of a discussion that is challenging what Boston stands for." Wu concluded by emphasizing her support for the city, declaring, "Ten toes down for our city."

Trump's Statements and FIFA Role

Recently, FIFA President Gianni Infantino was seen with President Trump at the Gaza summit in Egypt. The FIFA president has also visited the Oval Office and presented World Cup and club championship awards to the president as gifts.

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

He continued, "I'd tell him: 'We should relocate the games' and they would comply. He might not prefer it. But he would do it very easily." The president also specifically targeted Wu, stating, "Their mayor is not good ... she's far-left, and they're taking over parts of Boston. That's a strong claim, right?"

Previous Threats and 2026 World Cup Details

Trump has previously suggested that he would take the similar discussion with the FIFA president about relocating games from Seattle and San Francisco, which are among the 16 locations across the continent.

The United States is joint hosts the 2026 tournament with neighboring countries. The expanded tournament is scheduled to be played from 11 June to 19 July next summer.