No French Support for US World Cup Ban

The French government has stated that it does not support a boycott of the 2026 World Cup, despite political tensions over U.S. president Donald Trump’s threats regarding Greenland.

France’s sports minister Marina Ferrari confirmed there is currently no intention to withdraw from the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“As it stands now, there is no desire from the ministry for a boycott of this great competition,” Ferrari said, emphasizing her belief in keeping sports separate from politics.

Calls for a Boycott Spark Political Debate

The controversy began after Trump threatened tariffs against several European countries, including France, in response to European opposition to his push to annex Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.

Far-left French politician Éric Coquerel argued that the United States should be stripped of its co-hosting status. He questioned whether France could participate if Trump’s threats continued, citing concerns over international law and regional stability.

Veteran French coach Claude Le Roy went even further, suggesting that African national teams should consider boycotting the event due to Trump’s behavior toward the continent.

Germany Defers Responsibility to Sports Federations

Hours before France clarified its stance, the German government stated that national political authorities would not make decisions on sports boycotts. German sports minister Christiane Schenderlein stressed that such decisions fall to governing bodies such as the German Football Association (DFB) and FIFA.

Infantino–Trump Relations Under Scrutiny

The situation has also drawn attention to the close relationship between FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Trump. Infantino even awarded Trump a newly created “FIFA Peace Prize” during the World Cup draw in December.