In a decisive move, Germany’s football association announced on Friday that it will not boycott the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite mounting pressure related to U.S. President Donald Trump’s foreign policy. The decision follows recent discussions in German media and among politicians about a potential withdrawal from the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
DFB emphasizes dialogue and unity in sports
The DFB Executive Committee issued a statement affirming their stance, stating, “The DFB Executive Committee agrees that debates on sports policy should be conducted internally and not in public.” They further clarified, “A boycott of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada is currently not under consideration.” The association emphasized its commitment to fostering positive dialogue with stakeholders across various sectors, including politics, security, and business, as they prepare for the tournament.
The DFB underscored the belief in “the unifying power of sport and in the global impact that a football World Cup can have.” They articulated a desire to enhance, rather than hinder, the positive influence of the event.
Political tensions and historical context
Recent discussions around a boycott were fueled by Trump’s now-retracted threats to impose tariffs on European Union nations that opposed his plans regarding Greenland. The World Cup is considered one of Trump’s marquee projects, and he maintains a close relationship with Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA. Given Germany’s prominence in international football, a boycott from significant European nations could severely impact the tournament’s success.
“The world stands still because the World Cup and football has really an impact on the lives, on the moods of people like [nothing] else. There is nothing anywhere close to what football does. It changes the mood not just of people, but of countries.”
This sentiment was echoed by Infantino at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he sought to mitigate the political tensions surrounding the tournament.
This is not the first instance where calls for politically motivated boycotts of major sporting events have arisen. Prior to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, similar discussions emerged in several EU nations, largely centered on the treatment of migrant workers in the host country.
Germany has a storied history in the World Cup, having clinched the title four times, and its participation is seen as crucial to the tournament’s overall success.