‘It achieves nothing’, Völler opposes 2026 World Cup boycott debate | OneFootball

According to BuLi News, DFB sporting director Rudi Völler has dismissed revived talk of boycotting the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. He considers the debate misplaced and futile.

Speaking at a recent German Press Agency editorial board meeting in Berlin, the 1990 World Cup winner set out his position clearly.

"It's pointless to discuss this. It achieves nothing and you only harm the athletes," said the former striker. "I've always been against a boycott because it simply doesn't achieve anything," the 65-year-old said, referencing the boycotts of the 1980 Moscow and 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

Völler argues major tournaments are not the arena for political power games.

The discussion has been reignited by FC St. Pauli president Oke Göttlich, who wants the possibility of a boycott to be at least debated openly and weighed fairly. He said the subject should not be brushed aside, adding football does not exist in isolation from society and that sport and politics cannot be fully separated.

Geopolitical tensions around Donald Trump's territorial claims to Greenland and the actions of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement towards migrants were believed to be the basis of the boycott calls.

Source: BuLi News