FIFA Boss URGES Fans to BOYCOTT U.S World Cup

A former FIFA president just told millions of soccer fans to skip the biggest sporting event on American soil since the 1994 World Cup.

Story Snapshot

Sepp Blatter, FIFA’s president for 17 years, endorses boycott calls for the 2026 World Cup in the United States
Swiss anti-corruption lawyer Mark Pieth warns fans to “stay away from the USA” citing security incidents and civil rights concerns
The boycott calls follow the fatal shooting of a nurse by immigration agents and deaths of U.S. citizens during protests
European football officials from France and Germany are urging withdrawal over diplomatic tensions with the Trump administration
The tournament runs June 11 to July 19, 2026, with the U.S. hosting the majority of matches

When Scandal Survivors Start Warning You

Sepp Blatter knows a thing or two about controversial decisions. The Swiss administrator steered FIFA for 17 years before corruption scandals ended his presidency in 2015 with an eight-year ban. He was acquitted of criminal wrongdoing in 2024, but his reputation remains complicated. Now he’s using whatever credibility remains to amplify warnings from Mark Pieth, an anti-corruption lawyer who once worked to reform FIFA during Blatter’s tenure. On January 27, Blatter quoted Pieth on social media: “For the fans, there’s only one piece of advice: stay away from the USA!” The endorsement carries weight precisely because it comes from someone who understands FIFA’s inner workings and has no official standing to protect.

#FMTSports Ex-Fifa boss Blatter suggests fans should not travel to US for World Cup https://t.co/pCRDTjHZJ4

— Free Malaysia Today (@fmtoday) January 26, 2026

The Catalyst Behind the Controversy

Pieth’s warning originated in comments published by Zurich-based newspaper Tages-Anzeiger. His concerns center on specific incidents that occurred in the weeks before Blatter’s statement. Immigration agents fatally shot Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, in Minneapolis. Two U.S. citizens died during protests, including Renee Good. Pieth framed these deaths within a broader pattern: “The country itself is in a state of tremendous turmoil.” He pointed to what he characterized as marginalization of political opponents and immigration authority abuses. For international fans planning trips months in advance, these incidents raise questions about whether the U.S. can guarantee basic safety during the tournament.

Rogue State or Political Rhetoric

Pieth went further than safety warnings, deploying language that strikes at America’s international standing. He argued the U.S. “explicitly states: We don’t care about international law.” His most provocative claim: “If a state has become a rogue state, it shouldn’t be allowed to host the World Cup. This is stipulated in FIFA’s statutes and also in its human rights code.” The “rogue state” characterization represents subjective assessment rather than any official designation. Yet it reflects real tensions. European football officials in France and Germany are pressuring their national federations to consider withdrawal over Trump administration attempts to acquire Greenland from Denmark. The connection between Greenland diplomacy and World Cup hosting suitability may seem tenuous, but it signals broader international unease with U.S. foreign policy directions.

What FIFA Statute Violations Actually Mean

Pieth’s reference to FIFA statutes deserves scrutiny. FIFA does maintain human rights standards for host nations, implemented after controversies surrounding Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. The statutes require host countries to respect human rights and provide safe environments for fans, players, and officials. Whether isolated incidents of violence constitute systematic violations remains debatable. Pieth also warned fans about enforcement: “Fans should expect that if they don’t behave properly with the authorities, they could be sent home immediately.” This suggests concerns extend beyond random violence to include potential overreach by law enforcement against international visitors unfamiliar with U.S. legal procedures and cultural expectations around police interactions.

The Business of Boycotts

Boycott calls carry real financial implications. The 2026 tournament expands to 48 teams for the first time, with 104 matches planned across U.S., Canadian, and Mexican venues. International fan attendance drives ticket sales, hospitality packages, and local economic impact. Reduced European attendance would hit hard, as European fans typically travel in large numbers with significant spending power. Host cities have invested heavily in infrastructure upgrades and preparations. A successful boycott could establish precedent for future sporting events facing similar scrutiny. FIFA has remained publicly silent on Blatter’s endorsement, likely calculating that official responses would amplify the controversy. Current FIFA president Gianni Infantino has cultivated close ties with U.S. officials and expanded the tournament format Blatter now criticizes.

Reading Between the Political Lines

The timing and framing of these boycott calls warrant skepticism. Blatter has consistently criticized Infantino’s leadership decisions, including the 48-team expansion and new Club World Cup format. His World Cup warning aligns with ongoing grievances against his successor’s direction. Pieth’s characterization of domestic “turmoil” and “rogue state” behavior reflects European progressive perspectives that may not accurately represent conditions on the ground. The U.S. has successfully hosted massive international events including previous World Cups, Olympics, and Super Bowls without systematic safety failures. Immigration enforcement actions, while controversial in specific cases, don’t constitute evidence that international soccer fans face unique risks. The Greenland diplomatic situation, whatever its merits, has no logical connection to tournament safety or appropriateness.

What Conservative Common Sense Suggests

American conservatives should recognize this controversy for what it represents: international elites using a sporting event as leverage against U.S. sovereignty and policy independence. The characterization of America as unsafe for international visitors contradicts decades of successful tourism and event hosting. Concerns about immigration enforcement protecting borders hardly constitute human rights violations requiring FIFA intervention. The suggestion that Greenland diplomacy should influence World Cup hosting reveals the political motivations behind these warnings. Fans can make their own informed decisions about travel without exaggerated warnings from compromised former FIFA officials and European lawyers grinding political axes. The tournament will proceed regardless of European pearl-clutching, and Americans should focus on ensuring it succeeds spectacularly.