German Football Community Divided Over Potential Boycott of 2026 World Cup in North America

Amidst rising political tensions and concerns over the U.S. host country's climate, a debate has emerged within German football circles about the possibility of boycotting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Oke Göttlich, Vice President of the German Football Association (DFB) and President of FC St. Pauli, has called for open discussions about a boycott, personally advising against traveling to the U.S. due to the prevailing political situation, including the policies of then-President Donald Trump and the political spectacle shaped by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Trump himself.

However, this stance faces significant opposition. DFB President Bernd Neuendorf dismissed the boycott debate as "completely misplaced" at this time and stressed that the decision would be addressed in an upcoming meeting. Neuendorf also emphasized the gravity of evaluating the political environment in the U.S., leaving travel decisions to individual fans, mindful of government travel warnings urging caution in the U.S.

Further opposition comes from leading German football figures like Hans-Joachim Watzke of the German Football League (DFL) and representatives from Bayern Munich, including CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen and Max Eberl, who rejected the boycott idea, underscoring that no World Cup has ever been boycotted and emphasizing a focus on football rather than politics.

Political voices add nuance: while CDU politician Christoph Ploß labeled the boycott a "crazy idea" that would unfairly punish players and undermine international sports' spirit of intercultural exchange, Union faction leader Jens Spahn did not rule out a boycott entirely but advised waiting for developments in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, broader public skepticism toward holding major sporting events in the U.S. continues to grow, with increasing calls to reconsider both the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

As the debate intensifies, the DFB presidency and German football officials must navigate complex political and sporting interests, balancing ethical concerns, fan safety, and the financial and cultural significance of participation in the World Cup.