Former FIFA President Blatter Supports Call for US World Cup Boycott
Sepp Blatter, the former FIFA president, has expressed support for a proposed fan boycott of men's World Cup matches scheduled to take place in the United States. This call for a boycott stems from concerns regarding policies and actions of the then-President Donald Trump administration, specifically citing travel bans and immigration enforcement tactics. The United States is set to co-host the tournament with Canada and Mexico.
Blatter Endorses Boycott Call
Sepp Blatter, who presided over FIFA from 1998 to 2015, voiced his backing in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He referenced comments made by Mark Pieth, a Swiss lawyer and anti-corruption expert. In an interview with the Swiss newspaper Der Bund, Pieth had suggested:
"If we consider everything we've discussed, there's only one piece of advice for fans: Stay away from the USA!"
Mr. Pieth's concerns also extended to potential issues with officials upon fans' arrival. Blatter quoted Pieth, adding, "I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup."
Oke Göttlich, a vice-president of the German soccer federation, has also indicated that a boycott of the World Cup should be given serious consideration.
Key Figures in the Discussion
- Sepp Blatter: Served as FIFA president for 17 years, resigning in 2015 amidst a corruption investigation.
- Mark Pieth: A Swiss lawyer specializing in white-collar crime and a recognized anti-corruption expert. He previously chaired the Independent Governance Committee, which oversaw FIFA reform efforts approximately a decade ago.
World Cup 2026 Co-Hosting
The United States is scheduled to co-host the men's World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico. The tournament is planned to run from June 11 to July 19.
Concerns Over US Policies
Concerns within the international soccer community regarding the United States as a host nation are linked to several policies and actions of the Trump administration. These include:
- Travel Bans: In December, the administration expanded a travel ban, which could prevent fans from Senegal and Ivory Coast from attending matches unless they already possessed visas. The ban cited "screening and vetting deficiencies." Earlier iterations of the travel ban also included fans from Iran and Haiti, two nations that qualified for the World Cup, effectively barring their entry into the United States.
- Greenland Policy: An "expansionist posture" concerning Greenland has been cited as a point of concern.
- Immigration Tactics: Policies and tactics related to migrants and immigration enforcement protesters in American cities, including Minneapolis, have also been noted.