Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter Urges Fans to Boycott 2026 World Cup in the United States
By TUW
As preparations intensify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has called on football supporters to reconsider travelling to the United States, raising concerns over security conditions and immigration enforcement policies.
Blatter’s remarks come amid renewed tensions in parts of the U.S., following the deaths of two American citizens in Minnesota during an immigration enforcement operation that sparked widespread protests. The incident has drawn international attention and fuelled debate about public safety and civil rights.
The former FIFA chief aligned himself with warnings from Swiss anti-corruption expert Mark Pieth, who has publicly questioned whether the United States can guarantee a safe and welcoming environment for visiting fans during the global tournament. Blatter echoed those concerns, suggesting that supporters may face uncertainty when attending matches hosted in the country.
Although Blatter left office in 2015, his views continue to resonate within global football circles. His comments arrive just months before the World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada and is expected to be the largest edition in the tournament’s history.
Critics of the U.S. hosting arrangements point to strict immigration measures, law-enforcement practices and potential travel complications as risks that could affect foreign supporters. Supporters of the hosting plan, however, argue that the country has extensive experience staging major international sporting events.
FIFA has not indicated any changes to its preparations and has repeatedly expressed confidence in the host nations’ ability to deliver a safe and successful tournament. Nonetheless, Blatter’s call adds to ongoing scrutiny and highlights the growing intersection between politics, security and international sport.
