Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has joined a growing chorus of international figures calling for a fan boycott of the upcoming 2026 World Cup in the United States, citing opposition to the political conduct of President Donald Trump’s administration.
Blatter utilized social media to endorse the stance of Swiss anti-corruption expert Mark Pieth, who warned that fans might face unpredictable treatment from U.S. officials and suggested,
“If we consider everything we´ve discussed, there´s only one piece of advice for fans: Stay away from the USA! You´ll see it better on TV anyway.” Supporting this sentiment, Blatter stated, “I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup.”
The controversy stems from a series of travel bans targeting nations such as Senegal, Ivory Coast, Iran, and Haiti, alongside aggressive immigration enforcement policies, which have led high-ranking European soccer officials to suggest that a full-scale tournament boycott may be necessary.