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Blatter Calls for Fan Boycott as US Travel Bans Threaten World Cup Attendance

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Blatter and anti‑corruption expert urge fans to skip U.S. matches Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter posted on X urging supporters to avoid attending games in the United States, citing President Donald Trump’s policies, while Swiss attorney Mark Pieth warned fans they could be expelled and advised watching the tournament on television [1][2]. Both figures echoed concerns that the political climate undermines fan safety and the spirit of the event. Their statements have amplified calls for a broader boycott among former officials.

Travel bans jeopardize supporters from several nations The Trump administration announced a ban barring citizens of Senegal, Ivory Coast, Iran and Haiti from entering the United States without existing visas, raising the risk of denial of entry or deportation for many fans [1]. Pieth highlighted heightened border scrutiny and immigration enforcement as additional obstacles for travelers [2]. These restrictions threaten the ability of African and other fans to attend matches in person.

World Cup schedule and venue distribution stay intact The 2026 tournament will run from June 11 to July 19, co‑hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the majority of matches—including the final—scheduled for U.S. cities [1][2]. No changes to the venue plan have been announced despite the controversy. Organizers continue to promote the event as a historic North‑American collaboration.

European football officials debate boycott but take no formal action German federation vice‑president Oke Göttlich said a boycott should be seriously considered, and a Dutch petition has gathered tens of thousands of signatures urging withdrawal [1][2]. France’s sports minister Marina Ferrari declared no current intention to boycott, emphasizing the separation of sport and politics, while left‑wing MP Eric Coquerel suggested refocusing on Canada and Mexico [3]. Scotland’s SNP leader Stephen Flynn opposed a boycott, calling for dialogue instead [3].

FIFA leadership defends U.S. venue decisions Current FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the decision to keep the United States as a primary host, maintaining close ties with the Trump administration and indicating no plan to relocate matches [2]. He reiterated FIFA’s commitment to the original schedule and venue allocation despite external criticism.

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Timeline

Early 2025 – President Trump signs an executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” directing federal agencies to enforce a birth‑sex definition for athletic participation, prompting the NCAA and USOPC to revise their policies. [7]

July 2025 – Trump issues the “Saving College Sports” executive order, urging clarification of college athletes’ employment status and seeking antitrust protections for the NCAA. [7]

Summer 2025 – Trump signs an executive order creating an Olympic task force to oversee security, visa processing and other functions for the Los Angeles 2028 Games. [7]

Nov 2025 – The White House launches the “FIFA Pass” program, expanding consular staffing by more than 400 officers worldwide to expedite visa interview appointments for foreign ticket‑holders traveling to the 2026 World Cup. [2][8]

Dec 2025 – The State Department issues cables instructing U.S. embassies to give top priority to visa applications linked to major sporting events—including the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics—while imposing a $100,000 annual fee, mandatory in‑person interviews and new H‑1B screening for any prior censorship activity. [2][8]

Dec 2025 – The Trump administration adds Senegal, Ivory Coast, Iran and Haiti to a partial travel‑ban list, citing “screening and vetting deficiencies,” which bars fans from those nations from entering the United States without existing visas. [6]

Dec 2025 – At the World Cup draw gala, President Trump receives the newly created FIFA Peace Prize from Gianni Infantino, marking a rare presidential honor at a major soccer event. [7]

Late Mar 2026 – Inter‑confederation playoff matches will decide the final World Cup berths, completing the 48‑team field ahead of the tournament’s opening match on June 11. [1]

Jan 13, 2026 – West African supporters at the Africa Cup of Nations express frustration as the December travel bans prevent many Senegalese and Ivorian fans from traveling to the United States for the World Cup; Ivory Coast coach Faé hopes ticket‑based workarounds may still allow attendance. [6]

Jan 15, 2026 – The State Department circulates a cable exempting athletes, coaches and support staff of the World Cup, 2028 Olympics and other listed major events from the travel bans, while foreign spectators, media and corporate sponsors remain subject to restrictions. [5]

Jan 21, 2026 – France’s sports minister Marina Ferrari says France will not boycott the World Cup for now, emphasizing a separation of sport and politics, even as left‑wing MP Eric Coquerel urges a reconsideration amid Trump’s Greenland ambitions. [4]

Jan 26, 2026 – Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter posts on X urging fans to avoid traveling to the United States for World Cup matches, echoing anti‑corruption expert Mark Pieth’s warning that “fans should stay away from the USA” because of political instability and immigration risks. [1][3]

Jan 26, 2026 – German Football Association vice‑president Oke Göttlich says the German federation should seriously consider boycotting U.S. matches, aligning with Blatter’s call and highlighting recent U.S. travel bans that threaten African supporters. [3]

Jan 27, 2026 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino defends the U.S. venue allocation and shows no intention to alter the schedule, despite mounting European pressure and petitions urging a withdrawal. [1]

June 11 – July 19, 2026 – The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the majority of matches—including the final—hosted in U.S. cities, placing most international fans in a country facing heightened visa scrutiny and political controversy. [1][3]

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