The Ramifications Boston Could Face If President Trump’s Influence Helps Remove ‘The Hub’ As A 2026 World Cup Host City

With the 2026 World Cup cities having long been confirmed, could Donald Trump’s influence see Boston removed as a host? 

Furthermore, if ‘The Hub‘ was banished as a destination, what ramifications would it have on the soccer supporters who are based in New England and throughout Massachusetts?

With less than eight months to go until the global spectacle, the US president fired out a strong warning owing to the street violence that has occurred in recent weeks.

What Did Donald Trump Say About Boston?

Donald Trump – who has no power to remove 2026 World Cup cities from the roster – would use his influence to apply pressure on FIFA president Gianni Infantino to do so.

The US president highlighted safety as paramount for the thousands of supporters who plan to attend next year. With less than eight months until the tournament starts, it would surely cause a huge problem.

“We could take them away,” Trump said at a press event with Argentinian president Javier Milei. The 79-year-old went on to say: “Their mayor is not good … she’s radical left, and they’re taking over parts of Boston. That’s a pretty big statement, right?”

How Many 2026 World Cup Games Are Set To Be Played In Boston?

With a number of teams already qualified for the World Cup, supporters would have been banking on visiting Boston and watching their nation in action. And potentially their favorite Serie A players, too.

The Gillette Stadium in Foxborough is the venue that is scheduled to host seven games for the 2026 extravaganza. Although it’s approximately 22 miles from southwest Boston, Donald Trump still believes a threat is posed.

It’s not only visiting soccer fans that could potentially be affected, locals would be too. Popularity in soccer has skyrocketed in the region in recent years.

Even MLS side New England Revolution have seen attendances spike by 22.2% in the last two years alone. Therefore, if Boston is canned, the financial windfall that wouldn’t follow would hurt a number of businesses.

At this stage it still remains unlikely that the Gillette Stadium will have the plug pulled. The home of the Revs is due to host five group stage matches and one round of 32 clash and a quarter-final showdown.

Current 2026 World Cup Cities In The US

As it stands, 11 cities throughout the US are set to host fixtures. Co-hosts Mexico have three locations with Canada offering the remaining two.

Those in the Land of Opportunity that are firmly penciled in include Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Kansas, Philadelphia and Seattle.

Furthermore, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey and San Francisco have also been picked alongside Boston. The first game of the tournament to be played stateside will see the USMNT in action on June 12 in LA.

What Stadium Could Be Used As An Alternative?

“If someone is doing a bad job, and I feel there’s unsafe conditions, I would call Gianni Infantino, the head of FIFA, who is phenomenal, and say let’s move it to another location,” Donald Trump said at the White House.

“And he would do that. He wouldn’t love to do it, but he’d do it. Very easily, he’d do it.”

If the US president does get his way owing to the problems in Boston not being eradicated, where would be a likely replacement for the Gillette Stadium?

At this stage, it’s likely that the stadia in New York/New Jersey or Philadelphia could ‘step in.’ Which are the closest locations. However, it depends on FIFA’s rulings if they would even be allowed to host extra matches.

That in itself would be something for Infantino and the local authorities to determine. Time is very much against Trump and the FIFA boss if they do decide to remove Boston.

One thing that is for certain is that the ‘last minute’ change would have a huge domino effect. Especially to Bostonian’s and all of the businesses who are set to prosper.