FIFA: Governments have ‘responsibility’ to ensure security during Trump-Boston confrontation

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President Donald Trump’s threats to move scheduled matches to the Boston area for FIFA 2026 World Cup It could become a reality after the international soccer body said the US government has the final say on host city security.

A FIFA spokesperson told ESPN that governments have the final say in deciding “what is in the best interest of public safety.”

U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino talk in the Oval Office of the White House after signing an executive order creating a FIFA World Cup-related task force, in Washington, DC, March 7, 2025. (Jim WATSON/AFP)

“Safety and security are the top priority at all FIFA events around the world,” the spokesperson told the media outlet. “Safety and security is obviously the responsibility of governments and they decide what is in the best interest of public safety.

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“We hope that each of our 16 host cities will be ready to host successfully and fulfill all necessary requirements.”

PK Press Club Digital has contacted FIFA for comment.

The situation surrounding Boston’s status as one of the host cities for next year’s tournament began this week when Trump suggested he would move the games out of Boston while discussing an incident in the city this week when a group of people took over one of the city’s streets in a violent protest.

“We can take them away. I love the people of Boston. And I know the games are sold out, but the mayor is no good. There are worse people than her. At least she’s smart. You know, some have extremely low IQs. That bothers me more. She’s smart, but she’s radical left,” Trump said of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.

Mayor Wu speaks as the mayor and city leaders hold a press conference on violence and drug use at DTC on February 26, 2025. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald via Getty Images)

Trump reiterates threat to move World Cup matches away from Boston after mayor brags about current hosting rights

The president added that he could appeal to FIFA president Gianni Infantino to make the move if he deemed it necessary.

“The answer is yes, if someone is doing a bad job and if I feel the conditions are not safe, I would call Gianni, the director of FIFA, who is phenomenal, and I would say, ‘Let’s move him somewhere else,’ and he would do it. He wouldn’t like to do it, but he would do it – very easily, he would do it. And this is the right time to do it.”

Trump doubled down on his threat Wednesday, adding that “we have the right to do this with FIFA” if the city “does not set the record straight.”

“If we think there’s a reason why, whether it’s in Boston or elsewhere, they’re not doing their job, we’re going to take those World Cup games and move them somewhere else.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, right, presents the FIFA World Cup Winners’ Trophy to President Donald Trump during an announcement in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, August 22, 2025, in Washington, DC. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

In a statement to PK Press Club Digital, Wu said the city was “honored and excited to host World Cup matches, and we look forward to welcoming fans from around the world to our beautiful city, the birthplace of freedom and city of champions.”

Boston is currently scheduled to host seven matches at the World Cup in North America next summer. The list includes five group stage matches, a round of 16 match and the first quarter-final on July 9.

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