Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has publicly supported appeals for football fans to boycott the upcoming 2026 World Cup, expressing significant concerns about the United States' domestic and international policies under President Donald Trump. The controversial endorsement comes as the US prepares to host the majority of the tournament this summer, with Blatter amplifying warnings from Swiss lawyer Mark Pieth about potential safety risks for attendees.
Blatter's Social Media Endorsement of Pieth's Warning
In a notable social media post, the 89-year-old Blatter quoted directly from Mark Pieth, who was previously engaged to reform FIFA during Blatter's administration. Pieth had advised fans against traveling to the United States for the World Cup, citing what he described as a "state of tremendous turmoil" within the country. Blatter wrote: "'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."
Pieth's Detailed Concerns About US as Host Nation
Mark Pieth's comments, originally published in an interview with Zurich-based newspaper Tages-Anzeiger, outline multiple reasons for his apprehension. He pointed to domestic issues including the marginalisation of political opponents and alleged abuses by immigration authorities, referencing the fatal shooting of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti by immigration agents in Minneapolis as an example of escalating scrutiny. Pieth argued that such conditions do not create an inviting atmosphere for international football fans.
Furthermore, Pieth raised serious questions about the United States' suitability as a host nation under FIFA's own regulations. He stated: "If a state has become a rogue state, it shouldn't be allowed to host the World Cup. This is stipulated in FIFA's statutes and also in its human rights code." The lawyer also criticised what he perceives as the US becoming "a very aggressive international player that disregards rules," adding that the country "explicitly states: We don't care about international law."
Broader Context of Football Community Concerns
These developments occur alongside growing unease within the international football community about the 2026 tournament. Senior football figures in France and Germany have previously urged European nations to consider withdrawing from the competition over President Trump's attempts to seize Greenland from Denmark. This geopolitical tension has added another layer to the debate about whether the United States represents an appropriate host for football's premier global event.
Blatter's Complex Relationship with FIFA Leadership
Sepp Blatter's endorsement of the boycott calls represents another chapter in his complicated relationship with FIFA's current leadership. The former president, who served for 17 years before becoming the most prominent casualty of the 2015 FIFA corruption scandal, has been a consistent critic of his successor Gianni Infantino. Although Blatter received an eight-year ban over a payment to then-European football chief Michel Platini, he was definitively acquitted of criminal wrongdoing last year.
Blatter has previously voiced opposition to Infantino's expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams and the creation of the new Club World Cup. Despite his criticisms, Blatter stated in 2024: "I don't miss the presidency... I was like a missionary. And a missionary never gives up." His latest intervention regarding the 2026 tournament demonstrates his continued willingness to engage with contentious issues in world football, even from outside the organisation's formal structures.
The convergence of Blatter's endorsement with Pieth's detailed concerns creates a significant challenge for tournament organisers as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup. With the United States set to host the majority of matches alongside Canada and Mexico, these calls for boycott based on political and safety considerations introduce unprecedented diplomatic dimensions to football's biggest competition.
