Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has joined a growing chorus of international soccer figures calling for a fan boycott of World Cup matches in the United States. Blatter voiced his support on social media for the views of Mark Pieth, a Swiss anti-corruption expert who recently questioned the suitability of the U.S. as a host nation.
Pieth, who previously chaired FIFA’s Independent Governance Committee, issued a stern warning to supporters, advising them to “stay away from the USA” due to potential mistreatment by officials. Blatter, who led world football from 1998 to 2015, quoted Pieth’s interview with Der Bund, stating he was “right to question this World Cup.”
The controversy stems from the current administration’s aggressive travel bans and immigration policies, which have already disrupted travel plans for numerous participating nations. Fans from Senegal and Ivory Coast face significant hurdles following an expanded ban, while supporters from Iran and Haiti remain barred from entering the country entirely.
The German soccer federation has also signaled its concern, with vice president Oke Göttlich suggesting that a serious consideration of a boycott is now necessary. Critics point to the administration’s “screening and vetting deficiencies” justification as a primary catalyst for the current diplomatic and sporting friction.
As the June 11 kickoff approaches, the intersection of global politics and sport threatens to overshadow the first triple-hosted tournament. While the matches will proceed across Mexico and Canada, the atmosphere in American host cities remains under a cloud of international scrutiny.
