German soccer official calls for World Cup boycott over Trump’s actions

A board member of the German football association has defended the country’s consideration of boycotting the upcoming FIFA World Cup in response to President Donald Trump’s recent actions.

Bundesliga club St. Oke Göttlich, president of Pauli and one of the 10 vice-presidents of the German federation, said: Hamburger Morgenpost “It’s time to seriously consider and discuss this,” the newspaper said in an interview on Friday.

Göttlich likened the situation to the 1980 Moscow Olympics, which many countries, led by the United States, boycotted in response to the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan.

“What were the reasons for boycotting the Olympic Games in the 1980s? In my opinion, the potential threat is greater now than it was then. We need to have this discussion,” Göttlich said.

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Referring to the political debates regarding the 2022 World Cup to be held in Qatar, Göttlich addressed FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who is considered a close ally of Trump.

“Qatar was too political for everyone, and now are we completely apolitical? That’s something that really, really bothers me,” Göttlich added.

“As organizations and as a society, we forget about taboos, how to set boundaries and how to defend values. Taboos are an important part of our stance. Is the taboo crossed when someone threatens? Is the taboo crossed when someone attacks? When people die? When their taboos are reached? I would like to hear from Donald Trump and Bernd Neuendorf and Gianni Infantino.”

Göttlich also noted that the boycott was in St. Pauli also denied allegations that he would harm national team players Jackson Irvine and Connor Metcalfe of Australia and Joel Chima Fujita of Japan.

“The life of a professional player is not more valuable than the lives of countless people in various regions who are directly or indirectly attacked or threatened by the World Cup hosting country,” he said.

France’s sports minister answered questions on whether the country would consider boycotting the 2026 FIFA World Cup in response to the US’s recently reached “framework” agreement Control of part of Greenland.

French Minister of Sport, Youth and Community Life Marina Ferrari told reporters this week that the country had “no desire” to skip this year’s World Cup in North America.

“As it stands now, the ministry has no desire to boycott this major competition,” Ferrari said. he said. “I cannot predict what will happen now, but I have also heard voices from some political blocs. I am someone who believes that sports should be kept separate. [from politics]. “The World Cup is an extremely important moment for those who love sports.”

FRANCE SAYS IT HAS NO WANT TO BOYCOTT THE WORLD CUP Amid US-Greenland Agreement ‘Framework’

Far-left French politician Éric Coquerel called for the United States to be stripped of its right to host the World Cup and suggested a boycott by France.

“Seriously, is it possible to imagine participating in the World Cup in a country that attacks its ‘neighbours’, threatens to invade Greenland and disregards international law?” Coquerel told reporters.

Trump announced on Truth Social on Wednesday: framework of an agreement Reached for the United States to gain control of parts of Greenland.

“Based on a very productive meeting I had with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, created the framework “It is the signature of a future agreement regarding Greenland and, indeed, the entire Arctic region,” he wrote.

“This solution, if completed, will be a great solution for the United States and all NATO countries,” Trump said. wrote in the article. “Based on this understanding, I will not implement the Tariffs that are scheduled to come into force on February 1. Additional discussions regarding the Golden Dome involving Greenland are ongoing.”

Despite calls for similar sanctions in response to Trump’s foreign policy, the United States has not been punished by any major sports body for its recent conduct. intervention in Venezuela any.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has responded to calls to exclude the United States and its athletes from the upcoming Winter Olympics due to intervention in Venezuela. The committee rejected any punishment for the United States

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US President Donald Trump receives the FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the official draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC on December 5, 2025. (Emilee Chinn/FIFA via Getty Images)

“As a global organization, the IOC has to manage a complex reality. The IOC has to deal with the current political context and the latest developments in the world,” the IOC said in a statement to Fox News Digital. he said.

“The ability to bring athletes together, wherever they come from, is fundamental to the future of values-based, truly global sport that can give hope to the world. Therefore, the IOC cannot involve itself directly in political issues or conflicts between countries, as these are outside our remit. This is the domain of politics.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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