Boycott Calls Grow Ahead of Football World Cup as Concerns Mount Over US Policies

After cricket, boycott threats are now looming over the football World Cup as well. With Bangladesh already excluded from the Cricket World Cup and Pakistan threatening a boycott, calls are emerging from three countries to boycott the upcoming Football World Cup.

Indian newspaper Anandabazar Patrika reported that several countries are reluctant to travel to the United States due to a series of policies implemented by President Donald Trump.

The Football World Cup is now less than five months away and will take place from June 11 to July 19. The tournament will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Of the 114 matches scheduled, 74 will be held in the United States.

However, concerns are growing over Trump’s immigration policies, visa restrictions, internal security situation, and his continued push to take control of Greenland. These issues have made several countries uneasy about playing matches in the US.

Former FIFA “Independent Governance Committee” chairman Mark Pieth, a Swiss lawyer, has recently advised football fans to avoid traveling to the United States. In an interview, Pieth said, “I have only one piece of advice for football fans—stay away from America,” citing alleged harassment faced by travelers at US borders.

US President Trump is known to share a close relationship with current FIFA President Gianni Infantino. FIFA has even awarded Trump a peace prize. Critics claim that Infantino’s ties with Trump have contributed to soaring ticket prices for matches hosted in the United States, while FIFA has remained silent despite numerous complaints.

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter supported Pieth’s stance, saying, “I think Pieth is absolutely right. The World Cup in the United States should be boycotted.”

Protests against Trump’s immigration policies have also turned violent. In Minneapolis, gunfire erupted during demonstrations, resulting in the death of a US citizen. Since returning to office, Trump has imposed entry bans on citizens from several countries, including Senegal, Ivory Coast, Iran, and Haiti—nations that are set to participate in the World Cup. There is widespread uncertainty over how supporters from these countries would be able to attend matches.

At the same time, Trump has repeatedly raised the issue of annexing Greenland, despite Greenland’s desire to remain part of Denmark. This has strained relations between Denmark and the United States. Denmark, a World Cup participant, has raised calls for a boycott. Germany has also echoed similar demands.

German Football Association vice-president Oke Göttlich said, “I think this is the right time for a boycott. During the Qatar World Cup, everyone spoke about political bias. What has changed now? The same thing is happening again.”

The Netherlands has backed Germany’s position. Nearly 150,000 people in the country have signed a petition demanding that the Dutch team stay home instead of participating in the World Cup. The petitioners argue that given allegations of violence against immigrants in the United States, playing there is unacceptable.

With boycott threats growing from major European football nations, pressure is mounting on world football’s governing body FIFA—as well as on President Trump himself.