German football official urges World Cup boycott over Trump policies

Saturday 24 January 2026 - 12:40

By: Dakir Madiha

German football official urges World Cup boycott over Trump policies

A prominent German football leader has urged his country to seriously consider boycotting the 2026 FIFA World Cup in response to President Donald Trump's aggressive foreign policy moves, as European nations grapple with rising transatlantic tensions just months before the tournament kicks off.

Oke Göttlich, president of Bundesliga club St. Pauli and one of ten vice presidents of the German Football Federation, told Hamburger Morgenpost on Friday that the time has come to "seriously consider and discuss" a potential boycott. He drew parallels to the 1980 Moscow Olympics, boycotted by several nations over the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, arguing the current geopolitical threat exceeds that era. "We must have this discussion," Göttlich stated.

The call gains traction amid Trump's persistent push to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, followed by threats of 10 percent tariffs on eight opposing European nations. This has prompted warnings from close US allies about straining NATO ties. German political figures echoed the sentiment: Jürgen Hardt, foreign affairs spokesperson for Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democratic Union, called a boycott a possible "last resort" to make Trump reconsider Greenland. Fellow CDU member Roderich Kiesewetter warned that if Trump follows through on Greenland threats and sparks a trade war with the EU, European participation becomes unthinkable.

A Bild poll by INSA institute found 47 percent of Germans would back a boycott if the US annexes Greenland, against 35 percent opposed.

UEFA met this week with leaders from Germany, France, England, the Netherlands, and Norway to discuss a unified European response; many have qualified or reached playoffs. Yet consensus falters: French Sports Minister Marina Ferrari said her nation has "no desire" to withdraw "as things stand," stressing sport should stay apolitical. German Sports Minister Christiane Schenderlein distanced herself, insisting participation and boycott decisions belong solely to sports federations, not politicians.

The World Cup, set for June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, faces disruption risks. European teams make up 16 of 48 slots, and their absence would spell logistical and financial chaos for FIFA. Göttlich dismissed concerns over harming players, including St. Pauli national team members, declaring no professional athlete's career outweighs lives threatened by the host nation.

Trump announced Wednesday he would hold off on February 1 tariffs after meeting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, claiming a "framework" Greenland deal. Whether this eases boycott pressures remains unclear.