‘Stay Away from the USA’: Sepp Blatter Joins Growing Calls to Boycott 2026 World Cup

Rabat – Sepp Blatter, who ran FIFA from 1998 until resigning in 2015 during a corruption scandal, posted on social media last week in support of Swiss lawyer Mark Pieth’s call to boycott World Cup 2026, to be jointly-hosted in the United States.

Pieth, an anti‑corruption expert and former head of FIFA’s governance committee, told Der Bund that supporters should avoid traveling to America for the tournament.

“If we consider everything we’ve discussed, there’s only one piece of advice for fans: Stay away from the USA,” Pieth said.

“You’ll see it better on TV anyway. And upon arrival, fans should expect that if they don’t please the officials, they’ll be put straight on the next flight home. If they’re lucky.”

Blatter quoted Pieth’s remarks on X, adding: “I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup.”

“𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲: 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗦𝗔!” Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter says fans should boycott the 2026 World Cup over President Trump’s US administration.🗣️ pic.twitter.com/OdcvmGRH7z — DW Sports (@dw_sports) January 26, 2026

His comments have added fuel to a growing debate about safety, immigration rules, and travel access ahead of football’s biggest event.

The 89‑year‑old former-executive’s intervention is notable, especially his backing of anti-corruption expert Pieth, as his own record remains controversial.

Furthermore, the critical words against the US government fight back against the promotion of the2026 edition as a symbol of global unity.

The tournament is scheduled for