Calls to boycott the 2026 World Cup matches in the United States under the Donald Trump administration received major backing after former FIFA president Sepp Blatter endorsed the move.
Disgraced former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has called for fans to boycott the upcoming World Cup 2026 matches in the United States of America (USA) in protest of Donald Trump and his government’s actions in the country and overseas. The USA, the co-hosts of the FIFA World Cup 2026 alongside Canada and Mexico, and president Trump have been facing a lot of criticism due to recent tariffs, the threat of annexing Greenland, and anti-immigration measures.
Recently, it was reported that the European football association (UEFA) had also informally discussed how
they can use the sport to protest against Trump if the USA tries to forcefully acquire Greenland. Some top politicians and activists across the world have also said that the USA is not fit to be the host of the world’s most popular and inclusive sports tournament.
Blatter wants fans to skip World Cup matches in the US
Amid the controversy, former FIFA head Blatter has recommended that fans skip matches in the USA, while endorsing Swiss lawyer and anti-corruption expert Mark Pieth’s views about boycotting the World Cup 2026 in the States on social media.
“I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup,” Blatter wrote on X.
“For the fans, there’s only one piece of advice: stay away from the USA!” I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup. #MarkPieth #GianniInfantino #DonaldTrump #FIFAWorldCup2026 #USA
— Joseph S Blatter (@SeppBlatter) January 26, 2026
In his interview with Der Bund, Pieth said that a visit to the US could turn out to be a horrific experience for fans if they do not please the local administration and in such a scenario, it’s better to watch the matches from home on TV.
“If we consider everything we’ve discussed, there’s only one piece of advice for fans: Stay away from the USA! You’ll see it better on TV anyway. And upon arrival, fans should expect that if they don’t please the officials, they’ll be put straight on the next flight home. If they’re lucky.”
FIFA president Gianni Infantino, however, rejected any such criticism on Monday when asked about Blatter’s tweet, saying that fans will turn up in big numbers in the US for the World Cup.
“People want to go, and they will go and celebrate together. We always, always celebrate football together,” Infantino said.
For the unversed, Blatter was forced to resign as FIFA president in 2015 due to anti-corruption allegations. He was later acquitted of any wrongdoing by an appeals court in Switzerland in 2022.
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