German MPs ‘to propose’ 2026 World Cup boycott over Trump threats to EU | OneFootball

The possibility of Germany backing a boycott of the 2026 World Cup has entered government ranks. CDU security expert Roderich Kiesewetter told Augsburger Allgemeine that European participation would be unthinkable if threats over Greenland and a trade war against the EU materialise.

Social Democrats in Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s coalition have raised fan safety. Aydan Özoguz told the same paper it is not clear under what conditions matches would be played, and added that travel to the United States could be complex. She said it would be hard for matches to be played in peace while threats against Europe run in parallel.

Government sources told AFP that any decision to participate or boycott rests with sporting bodies, in football the DFB, not politicians. The tournament runs from 11 June to 19 July across the United States, Mexico and Canada, complicating any decision.

The Merz government can still opt for a diplomatic boycott, meaning no ministers attend Germany’s matches in a given host nation. Such representation usually falls to the interior minister, the chancellor or the head of state.

A diplomatic boycott was considered for Qatar amid concerns over the treatment of LGBTQ+ people and laws criminalising homosexuality. Germany were ultimately accompanied by then interior minister Nancy Faeser.

The Greens and The Left are urging at least that supporters be advised against travelling to the United States. They cite the killing of a woman in Minnesota by the immigration enforcement agency ICE.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo