In a surprising turn of events, former FIFA President Sepp Blatter has voiced strong reservations about the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Blatter, who served as the president of FIFA for 17 years before being embroiled in a corruption scandal in 2015, is now calling for fans to boycott the matches held in the United States.
Blatter's concerns echo those of Swiss lawyer Mark Pieth, who was involved in FIFA's reform during Blatter's administration. Pieth recently advised fans to "stay away from the USA!" due to safety concerns and the current political climate. Blatter endorsed Pieth's statement on social media, further amplifying the call for a boycott.
Several factors are contributing to the apprehension surrounding the 2026 World Cup in the United States. The administration's domestic and international policies, particularly those related to immigration and international law, have drawn criticism. There are worries that the current state of affairs in the U.S., including the "marginalisation of political opponents" and "abuses by immigration authorities," could create an unwelcoming and potentially unsafe environment for fans. The U.S. government has issued visa bans to 75 countries. Furthermore, aggressive efforts from ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to detain and deport those deemed to be living in the US illegally are raising concerns.
Oke Göttlich, a German soccer federation executive, has also suggested considering a World Cup boycott due to the actions of the U.S. President. Göttlich referenced historical Olympic boycotts and argued that the "potential threat is greater now than it was then". He cited the President's policies, such as the attempted takeover of Greenland and the imposition of tariffs on European countries, as examples of actions that have "sowed discord in Europe".
The FIFA World Cup 2026, which will take place from June 11 to July 19, marks the first time three nations will jointly host the event. It is also the first World Cup to expand to 48 teams, an increase from the previous 32. A total of 104 matches will be played in 16 host cities across North America. Eleven of those cities are in the United States. The final game will be held at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
Despite the concerns, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has expressed optimism about the tournament, noting that FIFA has already received 500 million ticket requests. He stated that the World Cup has an impact on people's lives and brings "joy and happiness to people everywhere". The tournament is projected to generate USD 80.1 billion in gross output globally and add up to USD 40.9 billion dollars in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), as well as create 824,000 jobs.
The U.S. State Department is encouraging Americans traveling to Canada or Mexico for the World Cup to check their passport expiration dates and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for safety and security alerts. The United States has also confirmed a number of safety measures will be implemented for the World Cup.
Blatter's recent statements add another layer of complexity to the already intricate preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It remains to be seen how these concerns will impact fan attendance and the overall atmosphere of the tournament, particularly in the United States.
