The German soccer federation (DFB) has officially ruled out a boycott of the upcoming World Cup, despite internal discussions and public calls for such action to protest against U.S. President Donald Trump. The decision follows a period of intense debate sparked by concerns over Trump's policies and actions.
Oke Göttlich, DFB vice president and president of Bundesliga club St. Pauli, initially proposed the idea of a boycott, citing Trump's recent actions and statements as a cause for serious consideration. Göttlich's suggestion ignited a broader discussion about the role of sports in addressing political and social issues. Jürgen Hart, a confidant of the German chancellor, also suggested that a boycott should be considered as a last resort to influence Trump regarding the Greenland issue, noting the importance of the World Cup to the US president. Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter also weighed in, advising fans to stay away from the United States during the tournament. Anti-corruption lawyer Mark Pieth supported Blatter's statement.
However, the DFB's executive committee ultimately decided against a boycott. In a statement released on Friday, the federation emphasized its belief in the "unifying power of sport and the global impact that a FIFA World Cup can have". The DFB stated that its goal is to "strengthen this positive force – not to prevent it". The federation also indirectly criticized Göttlich, stating that "debates on sports policy should be conducted internally and not in public". The DFB has clarified that a boycott "is not currently under consideration". The organization is in contact with political figures, security personnel, businesses, and sports representatives as they prepare for the tournament from June 11 to July 19.
Other prominent figures in German soccer also voiced their opposition to a boycott. Bernd Neuendorf, president of the DFB, stated that the debate was "entirely misguided at this time". Hans-Joachim Watzke, CEO of Borussia Dortmund, echoed this sentiment, saying that "a World Cup boycott is completely out of place right now".
France has also dismissed the idea of a boycott. Marina Ferrari, France's Sports Minister, clarified that "At this moment, there is no desire within the ministry to boycott this major and eagerly awaited competition". Philippe Diallo, president of the French Soccer Federation, is closely monitoring the international situation, but a boycott is not being considered by the French national team at this time. Similarly, the Spanish Soccer Federation is committed to following FIFA's lead, especially with Spain co-hosting the next World Cup.
The DFB's decision underscores the complex intersection of sports and politics, highlighting the challenges organizations face when balancing social responsibility with their commitment to the game. While the German team will participate in the World Cup, the debate surrounding the potential boycott reflects broader concerns about the current political climate and its impact on international events. The DFB affirmed, "We want to compete fairly against the other qualified teams next summer,” the DFB said. “And we want fans worldwide to celebrate a."
