A prominent football executive from Germany has called for a potential boycott of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial statements regarding Greenland and his broader foreign policy agendas, which have raised alarm across Europe.
Historical parallels and urgent discussions
Oke Göttlich, who serves as the president of Bundesliga club St. Pauli and holds a vice presidency within the German Football Association, expressed his views in a recent interview with German media. He emphasized that it is time for Europe to “seriously consider and discuss” a boycott, drawing parallels to the Olympic boycotts that occurred during the Cold War in the 1980s.
“What were the justifications for the boycotts of the Olympic Games in the 1980s? By my reckoning, the potential threat is greater now than it was then. We need to have this discussion.”
Göttlich did not hesitate to criticize FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who is often viewed as a close ally of Trump. He accused the leadership of football’s governing body of hypocrisy, stating, “Qatar was too political for everyone, and now we’re completely apolitical? That really, really bothers me.” His remarks contribute to a growing discourse within Europe regarding the intersection of global sports and political matters, especially as Trump leverages the World Cup as a symbol of soft power during his presidency.
Responses from across Europe
While Göttlich’s call adds momentum to the debate, not every government seems inclined to support such a move. France’s sports minister recently noted that there is “no desire” in Paris to boycott the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. This minister argued that sports should remain distinct from political influences.
Despite this, several football leaders from Europe have shown a readiness to engage in political discussions. For instance, Lise Klaveness, the president of Norway’s football federation, has been vocal about human rights concerns linked to significant tournaments. Additionally, the Irish football association previously advocated for the exclusion of Israel from international competitions in light of the Gaza peace agreement reached last year.
In addressing concerns about punishing players through a boycott, Göttlich firmly stated, “The life of a professional player is not worth more than the lives of countless people in various regions who are being directly or indirectly attacked or threatened by the World Cup host.”