Former FIFA Boss Backs US World Cup Boycott

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, 89, has supported calls for football fans to boycott World Cup matches that will be played in the United States.

The United States is due to co-host the FIFA World Cup with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

However, some members of the international football community have raised questions about the United States because of its immigration policies, recent actions by immigration officers, and the foreign policies of President Donald Trump and his administration.

Fans from Iran and Haiti, who have qualified for the World Cup, are still affected by earlier US travel restrictions. Calls for a possible boycott have also come from Europe.

A vice president of the German Football Association, Oke Göttlich, told the Hamburger Morgenpost newspaper that a boycott of the tournament should be seriously considered.

Blatter shared his views on Monday in a post on X, where he supported comments by Swiss lawyer Mark Pieth.

Pieth said in an interview with the Swiss newspaper Der Bund that fans should avoid travelling to the United States.

Pieth warned that visiting fans could face problems with immigration officials and might be sent back to their countries.

“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 and said he agreed that hosting the World Cup in the United States should be questioned.

  “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