Germany is considering a possible boycott of the 2026 FIFA World Cup amid rising political tensions linked to the actions of United States President Donald Trump. A senior official of the German Football Association (DFB) said discussions about withdrawing from the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, are becoming increasingly necessary. Of the 104 matches scheduled for the competition, 78 are set to be played in the United States.
Tensions between the U.S. and several European countries have intensified following controversial moves by President Trump, including threats to acquire Greenland, a territory under Danish control, and warnings of tariffs against eight European countries, including Germany, that opposed the proposal. Although the tariff threat was later withdrawn, diplomatic relations remain strained. Speaking to BBC Sport on Saturday, DFB vice-president Oke Göttlich said it was time for “serious discussions” on a potential boycott, adding that the current situation warranted concrete consideration.
Göttlich, who is also president of Bundesliga club St Pauli, compared the unfolding tensions to the U.S.-led boycott of the 1980 Olympic Games following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. While France has said it does not currently support a boycott, the Danish Football Association said it is aware of the “sensitive situation” as Denmark seeks qualification for the tournament. Germany has previously clashed with football authorities over political expression, notably during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when players protested FIFA’s restrictions on wearing the OneLove armband by covering their mouths during a team photograph.