France Rules Out Boycott of 2026 FIFA World Cup Amid Political Tensions

The French Sports Ministry has officially stated that France does not intend to boycott the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite increasing calls for such an action linked to political controversies involving former U.S. President Donald Trump. The tournament, set to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

French Sports Minister Marina Ferrari emphasized the need to keep sports separate from politics, calling the World Cup a highly anticipated event for fans worldwide. She acknowledged political voices advocating a boycott but maintained that France will participate, underlining sports as "primarily about competition."

However, some political figures express dissent. Deputy Éric Coquerel criticized holding the World Cup in the U.S., citing aggressive foreign policies, threats to international law, and domestic social issues such as discrimination against marginalized communities. He urged FIFA to consider limiting the event to Mexico and Canada.

In Germany, similar concerns are voiced amid threats by Trump related to Greenland and trade tensions with the European Union. German Sports Secretary Christiane Schenderlein noted that decisions about any boycott are to be made independently by the German Football Association (DFB) and FIFA. Former Senegal national coach Claude Le Roy also raised ethical concerns regarding the tournament's location under the current U.S. administration.

Despite geopolitical tensions, the French Sports Ministry remains firm on France's commitment to participate, highlighting the World Cup's significance for the sports fraternity and dismissing boycott plans as premature or unwarranted.

This stance reflects a broader debate in Europe about balancing political principles with international sporting events.