Germany considers 2026 World Cup boycott over Trump’s role

In an interview with German media Hamburger Morgenpost on Friday (23 January), Gotlisch said that staying silent in the current global political climate is no longer possible. According to him, a decision on a World Cup boycott should at least be discussed.

Gotlisch, president of Bundesliga club St. Pauli and one of DFB’s co-deputies, said that the arguments behind the 1980s Olympic Games boycott pale in comparison to current risks, and the matter cannot be ignored.

Trump’s recent proposal to acquire Greenland has stirred European politics. Alongside this, he threatened tariff imposition on at least eight European countries, which analysts say is straining US-European alliances and may weaken NATO unity.

Gotlisch argued that it is no longer practical to completely separate sports from politics. He compared the stance DFB took regarding Qatar during the 2022 World Cup with the current situation, noting the inconsistency. He emphasized the need to clarify where moral and ethical boundaries should be drawn in cases of threat, aggression, or humanitarian concern.

AP reported that Gotlisch may face opposition from DFB President Bernd Neuendorf and FIFA President Gianni Infantino regarding the boycott, but he stated that moral and ethical positions should not be compromised.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to be held in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Gotlisch’s remarks have sparked renewed discussion in the international football community