Boycott 2026 World Cup Movement
Netherlands: Petition “Boycott the Trump World Cup” secured over 170,000 signatures, and was submitted to Dutch Parliament in late March.
Germany: Petition to “Boycott Trump’s World Cup” by Berlin-based We Move Europe has over 88,000 signatures and is to be sent to all qualifying teams. Petition “Boycott the FIFA World Cup 2026 – Human Rights Before Football”, on change.org, has over 1500 signatures. Fairness United sticker “#USA2026 Love Football/Hate Fascism” posted massively; also has numerous pro-boycott articles, the latest (“Fans Are Not Welcome”) is a scathing indictment of onerous, racist travel restrictions and demands status of US as host nation be removed. The President of St. Pauli FC and vice-resident of the German Football Federation, Öke Göttlich, called for a serious discussion in January about a boycott and reaffirmed that stance in a March radio interview; Joachim Löw, former coach of the German national team and leading candidate to be the coast of Ghana’s national team, raised deep concerns about safety: “Playing in a country at war is dangerous”.
U.K:. Two petitions started in February to boycott the World Cup, on change.org, have now over 2800 signatures. Popular British recording artist, Willie Dowling, interviewed on 4/14/26 by PressTV: “FIFA World Cup boycott ‘self-evident’ under Trump’s ‘racist, vile’ regime”. Dr. Anthony Costello, prominent British professor, interviewed on 1/30/26 by PressTV: “FIFA Must Strip US of 2026 World Cup hosting rights.” Three Lions Pride, official LGBTQ supporters group in England boycotts attendance at WC games over safety concerns. Popular British comedian John Bishop urged a boycott of World Cup, “a joke and complete embarrassment” in Trump’s America, in several interviews.
Switzerland: former FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, joined calls to boycott World Cup 2026 in January, and sent an email message in March stating he appreciated efforts by Anti-Fascist Football Coalition.
Spain: Outrage by Trump’s denunciation of Spain, the Royal Spanish Football League and the Spanish government are considering withdrawing from World Sup 2026.
Sweden: President of the Swedish Football Association and outspoken critic of the current FIFA President, Simon Astrom, voiced serious concerns in late March about participating in the World Cup.
France: Michael Platini, former French football star and President of UEPA, voiced strong critique of FIFA President Infantino and arrangements for the 2026 World Cup.
Iraq: Iraqi football fans on their way to a friendly match in Mexico were violently assaulted and verbally insulted at the Dallas airport in April.
Iran: In mid-April, FIFA denied Iran’s request to move their games out of the USA, leaving Iran with the choice of either playing in the USA against their stated will or withdrawing.
Palestine: Prominent Palestinian journalist, Abubaker Abed, a frequent guest on Electronic Intifada, called for a WC boycott published in The New Arab on 2/27/26: “Time to boycott the World Cup, the most bloodstained in history.”
Africa: “Africa Must Boycott 2026 World Cup” was published in al-Jazeera in February.
Mexico: “Mexico City Protests FIFA World Cup”, March 28 in Reuters, and other posts by Camilo in Signal regarding anti-WC actions in Mexico.
Canada:YouTube video posted on 4/14/26 by Owl Mortgage, 20k members: “Toronto’s World Cup Plan is a Disaster Waiting to Happen.” Another YouTube post in March by Canada Next, 16k subscribers, summarizes key problematic issues well in “FIFA World Cup Crisis: Nobody Wants to Visit America – Canada Says Come Here Instead,” Team Canada Forever Voices, 39k followers, posted in late March on Threads: “Boycott the FIFA World Cup in USA”. Countering FIFA 2026, part of the Olympic Resistance Network, is organizing protests in Vancouver.
USA: The Craig Carton Show, 214k followers, podcast of 4/!5/26 called for a boycott:“We should not allow FIFA to have the World Cup in this country!”
“Trump Gets his Karma as FIFA World Cup Collapses!” posted on YouTube by Meidas Touch, 6.3M subscribers, 4/16/26.
AFFC petition, press release and planned actions
Other: A formal complaint has been filed in late March by Football Supporters Europe (FSE) denouncing the exorbitant ticket prices imposed by FIFA.
“Fans Plan to Boycott High Cost of World Cup Transit Tickets” The Spun, 4/14/26
“FIFA unable to find broadcasters in India”, Facebook post of 4/15/26 by FirstSports.
“World Cup Fury as Fans hit with $100 ‘rip off’ – boycott warning issued” in Daily Express, 4/16/26.
“Fans criticize FIFA about high prices and lack of accessibility for disabled” Deutsche Welle (DW) Facebook post, 4/15/26.
“Trump’s Chill Hits World Cup Demand as Panicked Hotels Slash Rates”, Daily Beast, 4/15/26.
