German Government Rejects Boycott of 2026 World Cup Amid Political Debate

The German government has officially dismissed calls for a boycott of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite ongoing political controversy surrounding the tournament's hosting by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Christiane Schenderlein, Germany's Minister of State for Sports, stated in an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung that "We do not support that," emphasizing a consensus within the federal cabinet to keep sports separate from political disputes.

The debate intensified in part due to the political tensions related to former U.S. President Donald Trump, including his controversial claims involving Greenland. A letter signed by German politicians Rasmus Andresen, Erik Marquardt, and Matthias Ecke to Uefa's leadership criticized the U.S. government's approach to international law and democratic standards during the Trump administration. This letter also highlighted concerns about Greenland's population being treated more as a strategic or economic asset rather than a community with the right to self-determination.

Oke Göttlich, president of Bundesliga club SV Werder Bremen, supports at least holding discussions on a possible boycott, stating, "One cannot silence a topic," and emphasizing the importance of addressing societal issues within the sports arena. However, his views attracted criticism from the German Football Association (DFB), which aligns with the government's rejection of a boycott.

Schenderlein drew attention to the complexity of the tournament’s tri-nation hosting arrangement and recalled the political controversies at the previous 2022 World Cup in Qatar, referencing uncomfortable situations arising from political gestures such as the "One Love" armband.

In summary, while German politicians express concern about recent U.S. political actions and advocate for awareness on these issues, the German government officially maintains its stance against politicizing sports or boycotting participation in the 2026 World Cup.