Trump threatens to move World Cup games from Boston
FILE-The World Cup 2026 Countdown Clock is placed next to Faneuil Hall in Boston, Massachusetts on June 11, 2025. (Photo by Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
President Donald Trump is threatening to move World Cup matches scheduled to be played in 2026 in Boston.
Trump claimed that the games could be relocated because parts of the city had been "taken over" by unrest. The Associated Press reported that he made the comments Tuesday during a meeting with Argentina President Javier Milei.
Foxborough, Massachusetts, home to the NFL's New England Patriots, is 30 miles from Boston, and is set to have matches as the U.S. cohosts the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada.
Can Trump move the World Cup games from Boston?
Dig deeper:
According to the Associated Press, World Cup host sites aren't up to President Donald Trump. The 11 U.S. cities — plus three in Mexico and two in Canada — are contracted with FIFA, which would face significant logistical and legal issues to make changes in the eight months before the June 11 kickoff.
Trump has previously suggested he could declare cities "not safe" for the 104-game soccer tournament and alter a detailed hosting plan that FIFA confirmed in 2022. It includes games at NFL stadiums near New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
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What they're saying:
"We could take them away," President Donald Trump said of the World Cup games. "I love the people of Boston and I know the games are sold out. But your mayor is not good," according to the Associated Press.
Trump also implied that "they're taking over parts of Boston" without offering details but added, "we could get them back in about two seconds."
The president has previously hinted he could declare cities "not safe" for the 104-game soccer tournament and alter a detailed hosting plan that FIFA confirmed in 2022. It includes games at NFL stadiums near New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
Boston mayor’s office releases statement
The other side:
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's office did not react directly to Trump's threat, but issued a statement obtained by the Associated Press that read, "Boston 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 liberty and city of champions."
Which cities will host the 2026 World Cup?
Local perspective:
The United States will host games in Arlington, Texas; Atlanta; East Rutherford, New Jersey; Foxborough, Massachusetts; Houston; Inglewood, California; Kansas City, Missouri; Miami Gardens, Florida; Philadelphia, Seattle; and San Jose, California.
RELATED: FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets go on sale today. Here's how you can get them
When does the 2026 World Cup kick off?
Why you should care:
The tournament will be played through June and July 2026 and will begin at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, with the final held on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, which will be called the New York New Jersey Stadium during FIFA's tournament.
Which teams qualified for the World Cup?
Dig deeper:
The U.S., Mexico and Canada automatically qualified as host countries. Other countries in the tournament so far are defending champion Argentina, Japan, New Zealand, Iran, Uzbekistan, Jordan, South Korea, Brazil, Australia, Ecuador, Uruguay, Tunisia, Colombia, Paraguay and Morocco.
There are still 30 slots unclaimed for next year’s World Cup.
FIFA said fans from 216 countries and territories applied to be part of the first ticket lottery. Nobody has said how many tickets FIFA plans to sell in this first window. Availability won’t be depleted; based on the listed stadium attendance figures, there are roughly 7.1 million seats to fill for the 104 matches around 16 North American venues, though it’s unknown how many of those seats will be available for sale to the public.
How can I watch the 2026 World Cup?
What you can do:
The 39-day tournament starts June 11, 2026, and will feature 104 matches across 16 North American cities—all of which will be broadcast on FOX and FOX Sports.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by previous LIVENOW from FOX reporting and the Associated Press, which cites comments from President Donald Trump and references a statement from Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's office. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.