Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has voiced support for calls to boycott the 2026 World Cup, raising concerns over the United States’ suitability to host the tournament in light of President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and broader political conduct.
Blatter, who led world football’s governing body from 1998 to 2015, said fans should reconsider travelling to the US for the event. In a post on X, he endorsed criticism from governance expert Mark Pieth, advising supporters to stay away from the country and questioning whether the World Cup should go ahead under current circumstances.
The debate has gained momentum after Pieth, a former chair of FIFA’s Independent Governance Committee, warned that foreign fans could face harsh treatment at US borders. He claimed supporters risk being denied entry and sent back immediately, urging them to follow the tournament from home instead.
Calls for a boycott have also emerged from within European football. Oke Göttlich, president of German Bundesliga club St. Pauli, previously suggested that European teams consider refusing to take part in protest against the Trump administration’s foreign and domestic policies, including remarks linked to Greenland.
The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19 and will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, with a total of 104 matches planned across the three countries.
