French Sports Minister Marina Ferrari confirmed that her country does not support any calls to boycott the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted primarily by the United States (78 out of 104 matches), despite the political controversy surrounding the actions of US President Donald Trump, including his threats to buy Greenland and impose punitive tariffs on European countries, including France.
France's official position: Rejecting the boycott and emphasizing the separation of sports from politics.
The minister's statement came in response to calls from French and European politicians, most notably MP Eric Cockerell, who demanded that the United States be stripped of hosting rights due to "violations of international law" and "threats to its neighbors." Cockerell stated that "holding the World Cup in a country that attacks its neighbors and undermines international law is inconceivable," suggesting that the entire tournament be moved to Mexico and Canada.
However, Ferrari strongly rejected these calls, telling reporters:
"I am one of those who believe in separating sports from politics. The World Cup is an important moment for sports fans, and we see no desire to boycott the tournament."
Germany's Stance: Neutralizing and Referring the Decision to FIFA
The German government has refrained from taking an official stance, emphasizing that the assessment of any boycott decision rests with the German Football Association (DFB) and FIFA. This follows similar demands from German parliamentarians, particularly from the Green Party, who argued that hosting the tournament in the United States "contradicts the values of sport and peace."
Context of the Controversy: Trump, Greenland, and the Controversial Peace Prize
The controversy stems from Trump's repeated statements about wanting to "acquire" Greenland and his imposition of escalating tariffs on European countries (including France and Germany) at 10% (rising to 25%) until an agreement is reached to sell the island. FIFA's awarding of its "first Peace Prize" to Trump during the December 2025 tournament draw also sparked widespread controversy, with critics describing it as "honoring someone accused of violating international law."
FIFA's Stance: Implicit Support for US Hosting
FIFA has yet to issue an official response to European calls for a boycott, but its president, Gianni Infantino, has a close relationship with Trump, making it unlikely that the federation will decide to exclude the United States, especially with the tournament approaching (June 11 - July 19, 2026).
Sport Faces a Test of Separation from Politics
Ferrari's statements demonstrate a French commitment to the principle of "separating sport from politics," despite internal and regional political pressures. The question remains: Will the 2026 World Cup be able to transcend political tensions, or will it become an arena for diplomatic conflicts? As the event draws nearer, calls to maintain the neutrality of sport are growing, while other European countries are keeping their positions open to review.
