Calls to boycott 2026 World Cup gain traction but may achieve little

Calls have emerged to consider a boycott of the 2026 World Cup in the United States after German football official Oke Göttlich urged a serious discussion, and about 20 European federations have been reported to have discussed the idea. The Guardian article argues that, while a boycott would be a strong statement, it is unlikely to accomplish much.

Göttlich, vice-president of the German football federation and president of FC St. Pauli, told the Hamburger Morgenpost “the time has definitely come” to consider a boycott. The piece also notes that Sepp Blatter endorsed comments urging people to “avoid the United States,” and links the discussions to concerns about US policy, citing threats against Greenland, actions in Venezuela, travel bans and killings by federal agents during the immigration crackdown.

The article assesses who would actually be punished by a boycott. It says the Trump administration would probably not be materially hurt, and that the oligarch class backing the administration would have little stake in the outcome. Fifa would be affected, but the piece argues the organisation would still secure broadcast and sponsorship income and has already collected large amounts of ticket revenue.

By contrast, the article says the brunt would fall on boycotting teams and their fans, who would miss participating in the tournament, and on the many people who would work the event and benefit from its tourism.

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