World Cup 2026: Former Fifa president urges football fans to boycott US

Former Fifa president Sepp Blatter has urged football fans to boycott the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the United States, citing political and security concerns. Blatter's call echoes warnings from another official, Mark Pieth, who described the US as becoming authoritarian and too dangerous for fans due to its political climate. The concerns are linked to the Trump administration's policies, including intensified immigration vetting, mass deportations, and the lack of assurances that immigration raids will not occur at stadiums. These US domestic policies and inflammatory rhetoric are presented as straining transatlantic relationships and creating a hostile environment for international visitors.