Ex-FIFA President Sounds Alarm: 'Avoid the US' For 2026 FIFA World Cup

Last Updated:January 26, 2026, 23:22 IST

Blatter supports calls to boycott the 2026 World Cup in the U.S. over security and civil-rights concerns after fatal ICE shootings in Minneapolis sparked protests and debate.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (AP Photo)

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has stirred controversy by suggesting fans boycott the 2026 World Cup in the United States over rising security and civil-rights concerns.

Blatter publicly endorsed remarks by Swiss anti-corruption lawyer Mark Pieth, who argued that supporters should think twice about travelling to the U.S. for the tournament, set to be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico from June 11-July 19, 2026.

Blatter backed Pieth’s stance directly on social media: “I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup," he wrote, echoing Pieth’s view that current events “hardly encourage fans to go there."

Pieth pointed to incidents involving U.S. immigration enforcement as part of his reasoning, including the fatal shootings of protesters in Minneapolis this January. In separate cases, federal immigration agents killed Renée Nicole Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, and later Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, during immigration enforcement operations — incidents that have triggered protests and widespread criticism.

Good’s death was officially ruled a homicide by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner after multiple gunshot wounds inflicted by an ICE agent, and has sparked public outrage, legal scrutiny, and demands for accountability.

The Minneapolis shootings have amplified debate over the role and conduct of U.S. immigration agents amid broader enforcement crackdowns, and local protests have sprung up in multiple cities demanding reforms.

Blatter’s comments have reignited a broader conversation about fan safety, political tensions, and whether such incidents affect the willingness of supporters to attend major sporting events in the U.S. His backing of Pieth’s cautionary message is unusually blunt from a former FIFA boss, especially given the global profile of this year’s expanded World Cup host lineup.

Critics argue that calls for a boycott over unrelated domestic issues could unfairly politicize sport, while supporters contend that the safety and rights of fans should be paramount when planning travel to high-profile international events.

As the tournament approaches, Blatter’s remarks add another layer to public debate — between sporting celebration and scrutiny over the broader climate fans may encounter.

(with AFP inputs)

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