Zurich, Switzerland – Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has publicly backed calls for fans to boycott World Cup matches in the United States, citing concerns over the conduct of President Donald Trump and his administration both domestically and internationally.
Blatter, who led FIFA from 1998 to 2015 before resigning amid a corruption investigation, voiced his support in a post on X on Monday. His remarks echoed those of Swiss attorney Mark Pieth, an anti-corruption expert who chaired FIFA’s Independent Governance Committee during reform efforts a decade ago.
Pieth’s Warning
In an interview with Swiss newspaper Der Bund last week, Pieth urged fans to avoid traveling to the United States for the tournament.
“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,” Pieth said.
Blatter quoted Pieth’s comments in his X post, adding:
“I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup.”
Growing Concerns in Soccer Community
The United States is set to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. However, concerns are mounting within the international soccer community about the suitability of the US as a host nation.
Critics point to Trump’s expansionist rhetoric on Greenland, his administration’s travel bans, and aggressive tactics against migrants and immigration protestors in cities such as Minneapolis.
Oke Göttlich, vice president of the German soccer federation, told the Hamburger Morgenpost last Friday that the time had come to seriously consider a boycott of the tournament.
Impact of Travel Bans
Recent travel restrictions have already disrupted plans for fans from several countries. Two weeks ago, supporters from Senegal and Ivory Coast faced uncertainty after the Trump administration announced a ban that would bar entry unless fans already held visas.
Trump cited “screening and vetting deficiencies” as the reason for the suspensions.
Fans from Iran and Haiti, both of which have qualified for the World Cup, are also barred under earlier iterations of the travel ban.
Conclusion
Blatter’s endorsement of a boycott adds weight to growing international unease over the US hosting the World Cup. With travel bans affecting multiple nations and political tensions rising, the debate over fan participation and the broader legitimacy of the tournament in the United States is likely to intensify in the months ahead.
