FIFA chief rejects 2026 World Cup boycott calls over Trump

FIFA President Rejects 2026 World Cup Boycott Calls Amid Growing Political Tensions

FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Monday dismissed growing calls to boycott the 2026 World Cup in the United States, arguing that staying away from the tournament would only “breed further animosity” rather than achieve positive outcomes.

The remarks come as the June tournament faces mounting pressure from European politicians, former football figures, and fan groups who have voiced concerns about attending matches in the U.S. due to President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and foreign policy actions.

Infantino Defends Tournament

Speaking to Sky News, Infantino pushed back against the notion of a boycott, drawing a parallel with trade relations. “Has anyone in the United Kingdom been asked to cease trade with the United States? I haven’t come across such requests. So why target football?” he said.foot-africa

The FIFA chief, who has maintained a close relationship with Trump and presented him with a controversial “peace prize” during the World Cup draw in December, argued that football should serve as a unifying force. “In this fragmented and hostile world, we should seek moments that allow individuals to gather and connect through their shared love for the game,” Infantino stated.foot-africa

Calls Grow From Multiple Corners

The boycott movement has gathered steam in recent weeks. Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter endorsed a fan boycott in a post on X last week, writing, “I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup. For the fans, there’s only one piece of advice: stay away from the USA!”npr

In Germany, DFB Vice President Oke Göttlich, who also leads Bundesliga club St. Pauli, called for serious discussions about withdrawing. “What were the reasons behind the Olympic Games boycotts in the 1980s? In my view, the possible risks today are more significant than they were back then,” he told Hamburger Morgenpost. However, the German Football Federation subsequently ruled out a boycott following internal deliberations.aljazeera

In the Netherlands, a petition calling for the Dutch team to withdraw has surpassed 156,000 signatures. Meanwhile, over two dozen British MPs from Labour, Liberal Democrats, Green Party, and Plaid Cymru signed a motion calling on FIFA to consider expelling the U.S. from the tournament.truthout

Claude Le Roy, the former coach of several African national teams, has urged African nations to boycott, criticizing Trump’s policies toward the continent and what he called Infantino’s closeness to the U.S. president.yahoo

Visa Restrictions and Fan Concerns

Adding to the tensions, travel bans imposed by the Trump administration have barred fans from Iran and Haiti from entering the United States, while supporters from Senegal and Ivory Coast face partial restrictions. These bans affect four nations that have qualified for the tournament.travelandtourworld

Reports of ticket cancellations have circulated on social media, with some claiming over 16,000 fans have withdrawn their World Cup ticket applications, though these figures remain unverified. The French Football Federation has confirmed France will participate, with President Philippe Diallo stating, “There is absolutely no question of a boycott”.reddit

The tournament is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the majority of matches taking place on U.S. soil.lemonde