Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has endorsed calls for fans to boycott the 2026 World Cup matches in the United States, citing concerns over the Trump administration's policies. Blatter supported Swiss lawyer Mark Pieth's advice to stay away amid immigration crackdowns and political unrest. The tournament, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, faces growing international scrutiny.
Sepp Blatter, who led FIFA from 1998 to 2015 before resigning amid a corruption scandal, posted on X on January 26, 2026, quoting anti-corruption expert Mark Pieth. "For the fans, there's only one piece of advice: stay away from the USA!" Pieth told Swiss newspaper Der Bund, warning that fans risk immediate deportation if they displease US officials. "You'll see it better on TV anyway," he added.
The 2026 World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 across 16 cities in the US, Canada, and Mexico, with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Concerns stem from Trump's travel bans barring fans from Iran and Haiti, both qualified teams, and recent expansions affecting Senegal and Ivory Coast unless they hold existing visas. Trump cited "screening and vetting deficiencies" for the measures.
Domestic issues, including the fatal shootings of protesters Renee Good and Alex Pretti by ICE agents in Minneapolis, have fueled fears. Pieth highlighted "marginalisation of political opponents, abuses by immigration services," while Blatter agreed Pieth was "right to question this World Cup."
Other voices echo the sentiment. Oke Gottlich, vice president of the German Football Federation, urged serious consideration of a boycott, comparing it to 1980s Olympic boycotts. South Africa's Julius Malema called for withdrawal, likening US policies to apartheid. British lawmakers and a Dutch petition with over 100,000 signatures also push for pulling out, citing Trump's Greenland ambitions and NATO skepticism.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, close to Trump—who received a FIFA Peace Prize in December—has not commented. Blatter, banned from FIFA activities until 2028, remains a vocal critic. While boycotts are rare, with the last major one in 1974 over Chile's dictatorship, supporters weigh safety against the event's allure amid the most expensive World Cup in history.
