Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has called on football supporters to avoid travelling to the United States for the 2026 World Cup, citing political conditions that he says could undermine the experience for fans.
The tournament is scheduled to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, but Blatter’s comments add momentum to growing calls for a boycott linked to criticism of policies and public positions taken by US President Donald Trump.
Speaking on Monday, the former FIFA chief questioned whether the United States could currently provide a welcoming environment for visiting supporters. While he acknowledged that matches will also be staged in Mexico and Canada, Blatter suggested that fans should consider bypassing the US altogether.
“What we are witnessing domestically hardly encourages fans to travel there. For fans, there is only one piece of advice: avoid the United States! In any case, you’ll see better on television. Upon arrival, fans should expect that if they do not behave properly with the authorities, they will be sent back home. If they are lucky…,” he wrote in a post on X.
Blatter, who led FIFA until 2015, has become the most high-profile figure so far to openly support the idea of avoiding the United States during the tournament. His intervention comes amid a wider debate within football circles about whether political developments in the country could affect the smooth staging of the competition.
Calls for a boycott of the 2026 World Cup have intensified in recent weeks, with various figures and organisations voicing concern over the climate facing foreign visitors. While some European football bodies have reportedly expressed sympathy with the idea, there is no unified stance across the continent.
France has already moved to distance itself from the debate. French authorities have made it clear that they are not considering any form of boycott and intend to take part in the tournament as planned.
Despite the mounting discussion, FIFA has not indicated any intention to revisit the hosting arrangements for the 2026 World Cup. The governing body awarded the event jointly to the United States, Mexico and Canada, presenting the tournament as a symbol of cooperation across the three nations.
As preparations continue, Blatter’s remarks highlight the growing tension between football and politics, with questions now being raised about how off-field issues could shape the experience of one of the sport’s biggest global events
