Blatter backs calls to boycott US World Cup

• Sepp Blatter endorsed advice for fans to “Stay away from the USA!” over concerns tied to Donald Trump’s conduct
• The 2026 World Cup is set for June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada and Mexico
• Travel bans and soaring ticket prices have added to the controversy

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter backed calls for fans to “stay away” from World Cup matches in the United States, citing concerns about President Donald Trump and his administration’s actions at home and abroad.

Blatter echoed comments from Swiss anti-corruption expert Mark Pieth, who told the Swiss newspaper Der Bund: “If we consider everything we’ve discussed, there’s only one piece of advice for fans: Stay away from the USA! You’ll see it better on TV anyway. And upon arrival, fans should expect that if they don’t please the officials, they’ll be put straight on the next flight home. If they’re lucky.” Blatter reposted the quote on X and added: “I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup.”

The tournament is due to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. The wider debate has grown around Trump’s expansionist posture on Greenland, new travel restrictions, and aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, including responses to protests in American cities.

Concerns sharpened after the Trump administration announced a ban that would effectively prevent fans from Senegal and Ivory Coast from traveling to support their teams unless they already have visas, with Trump citing “screening and vetting deficiencies” as the reason. Fans from Iran and Haiti are also set to be blocked from entering the United States under the first iteration of the travel ban.

Separate from the political dispute, the World Cup has faced criticism from supporter groups over ticket pricing. ESPN reported that dynamic pricing and heavy demand have pushed the listed price of a Category 1 ticket for the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19 to $8,680. FIFA president Gianni Infantino said resale activity could push prices higher, while responding Monday to Blatter’s social media post by saying: “People want to go, and they will go and celebrate together. We always, always celebrate football together,” Infantino said Monday.