Trump threatens to withdraw World Cup matches in Boston

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump On Tuesday, he threatened to move World Cup matches to be played next year in suburban Boston, after suggesting that parts of the city had been “taken over” by the unrest.

Foxborough, Massachusetts, home of the NFL’s New England Patriots and about 30 miles from Boston, is set to host games as the United States co-hosts the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada. Trump was asked about Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, a Democrat who he called “smart” but “radical left.”

“We could take them out,” Trump said of the World Cup matches. “I love the people of Boston and I know the games are sold out. But your mayor is no good.”

He suggested “they take over parts of Boston” without giving details, but added “we could get them back in about two seconds.”

The Trump administration has already deployed National Guard troops Washington And Memphisand efforts in this direction in Chicago and Portland, Oregon, have sparked legal fights.

Wu’s office did not respond directly to Trump’s threats, issuing a statement saying: “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 freedom and city of champions.” »

Trump’s comments came during his meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei and it was not immediately clear what he was referring to by seizing parts of Boston. However, earlier this month, numerous arrests took place in connection with a pro-Palestinian movement. demonstration that turned violent on Boston Common. Four police officers were injured.

Trump has previously suggested he could declare cities “unsafe” for the 104-game soccer tournament and amend a detailed organizing plan that FIFA confirmed in 2022. It includes games at NFL stadiums near New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

World Cup host venues don’t depend on Trump. All 11 U.S. cities — plus three in Mexico and two in Canada — are under contract with FIFA, which would face significant logistical and legal problems in making changes in the eight months before the June 11 kickoff.

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s competence, FIFA makes these decisions,” said the vice-president of the football body, Victor Montagliani. said earlier this month at a sports and business conference in London.

Trump nevertheless said: “If someone is doing a bad job and I feel the conditions are not safe, I would call Gianni – the director of FIFA who is phenomenal – and I would say, ‘Let’s go to another place’ and they would do it.

The president meant the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, a close ally. Trump said Infantino “wouldn’t like to do it, but he would do it very easily.”

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Associated Press writer Michael Casey in Boston contributed to this report.