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The mayor of Boston, Michelle Wu, suggested that the municipality was prepared for a dispute with President Donald Trump over his claim that he could instruct FIFA to relocate World Cup tournament games from the stadium in Foxborough, located 22 miles south-west of the city.

Mayor Wu spoke on a Boston-based podcast recently to respond to comments from the White House, which had described her as "radical left." Trump had threatened that he would call FIFA President Gianni Infantino if Boston did not "improve its situation."

Much of it is locked down by agreement so that no one, even if they live in the White House, can change it.

She continued, "We're in a world where for attention, for control, to test limits ... ongoing threats ... are issued at people and cities who stand their ground and comply or follow along to a divisive plan."

She further stated, "We are going to continue being ourselves, and that means, unfortunately, we are going to be part of a discussion that is challenging what Boston stands for." She finished by stressing her support for the city, declaring, "Ten toes down for our city."

Trump's Comments and FIFA's Role

Earlier this week, Infantino was seen with President Trump at the international summit in Sharm el-Sheikh. Infantino has also visited the White House and given World Cup tournament and Club World Cup awards to the president as presents.

On Tuesday, Trump was questioned on unrest in a Boston neighborhood that involved a police vehicle being burned. He responded, "If things aren't handled well, and if I feel there's danger, I would call Gianni – the president of FIFA, who's phenomenal."

Trump added, "I would say: 'Let's move into another location' and they would comply. He might not prefer it. But he would do it very easily." Trump also specifically targeted Wu, stating, "Their mayor is ineffective ... she's far-left, and they're dominating parts of Boston. That's a strong claim, right?"

Past Warnings and Upcoming Tournament Information

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

The US is joint hosts the 2026 World Cup with neighboring countries. The expanded tournament is planned to be played from 11 June to 19 July next summer.