Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has thrown his support behind a proposed fan boycott of World Cup matches scheduled to be played in the United States, citing concerns over President Donald Trump’s conduct and policies at home and abroad.
Blatter said the political climate created by the Trump administration raises serious questions about whether the United States is a suitable host for the tournament, adding his voice to a growing chorus within the international soccer community expressing unease about the event.
Blatter endorsed comments made by Swiss attorney and anti-corruption expert Mark Pieth, who previously oversaw governance reforms at FIFA and has been an outspoken critic of the organization’s leadership. In a recent interview, Pieth urged fans to avoid traveling to the United States, arguing that supporters could face arbitrary treatment by authorities and risk being denied entry or removed from the country if they run afoul of officials. Blatter echoed those concerns in a public post, saying Pieth was right to question whether the World Cup should proceed in the United States under current conditions.
The United States is set to co-host the World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico from June 11 through July 19, marking one of the largest international sporting events ever staged in North America. However, critics say U.S. policies under Trump have cast a shadow over preparations, particularly measures related to immigration, travel, and foreign relations. Concerns have also been raised about aggressive immigration enforcement actions and confrontations with protestors in several American cities, which some soccer officials say could create an unwelcoming or unsafe environment for visiting fans.
Those worries have been amplified by recent travel restrictions that have directly affected World Cup supporters. In December, the Trump administration expanded a travel ban that effectively prevents fans from Senegal and the Ivory Coast from entering the United States unless they already hold valid visas, citing deficiencies in screening and vetting procedures. Supporters from Iran and Haiti, both of which have qualified for the tournament, are also barred under earlier versions of the ban. Senior figures within European soccer federations have said these policies warrant serious discussion of a boycott, warning that the ability of fans to attend freely is fundamental to the spirit of the World Cup.
