• Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter endorses a boycott of the 2026 World Cup in the U.S.
• Calls for the boycott have gained traction due to U.S. political tensions and immigration policies.
• Many international figures are questioning the U.S.'s suitability as a World Cup host.
• Mark Pieth, a Swiss lawyer, supports the boycott based on remarks regarding fan safety.
• Political leaders and fans across various countries are echoing boycott calls.

Sepp Blatter, the former president of FIFA, has voiced his support for a proposed boycott of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is set to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The call for a boycott stems from concerns regarding President Donald Trump and his administration's conduct, both domestically and internationally. "For the fans, there’s only one piece of advice: stay away from the USA!" Blatter stated, endorsing comments made by Swiss anti-corruption lawyer Mark Pieth, who highlighted recent violent incidents in the U.S. as justification for such a boycott, according to Indiatimes, Africanews, and Al Jazeera.

Pieth has been vocal about the implications of traveling to the U.S. for the World Cup, warning fans of potential repercussions if their actions are deemed unfavorable by officials upon arrival. "You’ll see it better on TV anyway," he suggested, further stressing the risks involved, according to Africanews and Al Jazeera.

As political sentiments intensify, several public figures and fans have joined the boycott movement. Oke Göttlich, vice president of the German football federation, expressed the need to reconsider the U.S. as a host country, calling for serious discussions about the boycott. Similarly, prominent political leaders, such as South Africa's opposition leader Julius Malema, have urged their football associations to withdraw from participation in the event, drawing comparisons to past human rights boycotts related to apartheid, according to Indiatimes, Africanews, and Al Jazeera.

In the backdrop of these discussions, more than 100,000 Dutch fans have signed a petition advocating for their national team to boycott the World Cup. While the Royal Dutch Football Association monitors these geopolitical developments, the potential for a significant boycott remains contentious within the international football community. Additionally, British lawmakers have similarly called for England and Scotland to withdraw from the tournament as a form of protest against Trump's rhetoric and actions, according to Africanews and Al Jazeera.