German football federation rules out World Cup boycott to oppose Trump

Al JazeeraCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete by By News AgenciesJanuary 31, 2026 at 04:13 PM

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In January 2026, the German football federation (DFB) considered a boycott of the FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, due to concerns about actions and statements made by US President Donald Trump. DFB Vice President Oke Gottlich initially proposed the boycott. However, the DFB executive committee ultimately ruled out a boycott, stating its belief in the unifying power of sport and the global impact of the World Cup. The DFB emphasized that debates on sports policy should be internal and that it is preparing for the tournament, scheduled for June 11-July 19, through contact with representatives from various sectors. Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter had also advised fans to stay away from the tournament.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Russia 30% Sepp Blatter 40% Canada 50% Mexico 50% Oke Gottlich ×260% United States ×370% FIFA ×270% Donald Trump ×280% 2026 FIFA World Cup ×280% German Football Federation ×290%

Keywords

world cup boycott 100% german football federation 90% fifa world cup 80% donald trump 70% sports policy 60% political protest 50% international relations 50% dfb 40%