Sepp Blatter has urged fans to boycott the 2026 World Cup
Former President of the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), Sepp Blatter, has joined calls for fans to snub the 2026 World Cup over security concerns.
The comments came after Swiss anti-corruption lawyer Mark Pieth, who worked with Blatter at FIFA, suggested that, due to insecurity in the United States, including alleged abuses by immigration services and persistent protests by aggrieved citizens, the country is not safe to host the tournament.
The lawyer noted that, given the unrest and chaotic incidents in the US, it would not be prudent for football fans to risk their lives, urging them to avoid attending the competition.
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“What we are seeing domestically, the marginalisation of political opponents, abuses by immigration services, etc., hardly encourages fans to go there. For fans, just one piece of advice: avoid the United States!
“You’ll get a better view on television anyway. Upon arrival, fans should expect that if they don’t behave properly with the authorities, they will be immediately sent home. If they’re lucky…” Pieth told the Swiss daily Tages-Anzeiger.
Commenting on the calls for a boycott, Sepp Blatter indicated that he fully agrees with Pieth’s advice for fans to avoid the tournament.
“I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup,” Blatter said on social media, as reported by The Guardian.
It is worth noting that Blatter resigned as FIFA President in 2015 amid corruption scandals that plagued his administration, and Gianni Infantino succeeded him.
However, Blatter and former UEFA President Michel Platini were acquitted in 2025 over charges related to a delayed payment of 2 million Swiss francs.
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