Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has also backed a proposal to boycott the 2026 World Cup, questioning the suitability of the United States (US) to host the mega sporting event, citing President Donald Trump and his administration’s conduct at home and abroad.
The calls for a boycott are increasing, as in the past a German football official and former chairman of FIFA’s independent governing committee has also made similar proposals.
In a post on X, Blatter, who headed the soccer body from 1998 to 2015, said: “To the fans, there is only one piece of advice: stay away from the USA! I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup.”
Pieth has previously criticized the Trump administration’s immigration policy advising fans to stay away from the US and watch games on TV, adding: “Upon arrival, fans will be put straight on the next flight home. If they’re lucky enough.”
Earlier, a German football official, president of the Bundesliga club St. Pauli, Oke Gottlich, called on European teams to boycott the World Cup in protests against Trump’s efforts to take over Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark.
The WC is scheduled from June 11 to July 19. Canada, Mexico and the United States will jointly host the 104 games.
