Opposition to boycott calls targeting the 2026 FIFA World Cup over U.S. President Donald Trump's policies has intensified, with South Africa's Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie calling the idea 'madness' amid a trophy tour generating fan excitement. FIFA and federations affirm participation plans despite the debate.
Following earlier endorsements from figures like former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and others citing U.S. immigration policies and incidents like the killing of Alex Pretti, calls for boycotting the 2026 World Cup—co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico—have met strong pushback.
South African Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie dismissed the notion during a media address at Cape Town's V&A Waterfront on February 1, 2026, where the FIFA World Cup Trophy was on display. 'That’s mad cow disease. That’s my view. Do they understand the repercussions of a FIFA game? It means player sanctions. We will be banned and then we might not see football in our generation. That’s madness,' McKenzie said.
Germany's soccer federation confirmed its national team will participate as planned. FIFA President Gianni Infantino shows no sign of altering the schedule, despite past criticisms. Logistical hurdles and precedents like Qatar and Russia make relocation or cancellation unlikely.
The trophy tour, kicked off by President Cyril Ramaphosa at Pretoria's Union Buildings on January 30, aims to stoke excitement in qualified nations like South Africa. Fans in Cape Town queued eagerly, with one calling it a 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.'
While Sepp Blatter continues advocating a boycott over immigrant policies, experts cite failed precedents like the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Trump's threats to move venues amid protests add tension, but FIFA prioritizes safety without anticipating major changes.
The tournament, from June 11 to July 19 across 16 cities with 48 teams, highlights soccer's global appeal over political divides.
