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Germany’s football federation, the DFB, has ruled out a boycott of the World Cup despite calls to send a message to Donald Trump. “We believe in the unifying power of sport and the global impact that a Fifa World Cup can have,” the DFB said. “Our goal is to strengthen this positive force – not to prevent it.”
The federation said its executive committee met and discussed the option of a boycott of this summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, a consideration first proposed last week by the DFB vice-president, Oke Göttlich.
Göttlich, who is also president of the Bundesliga club St Pauli, referred to Trump’s recent actions and statements and said it was time to “seriously consider” a boycott. In what appears to be a public rebuke to Göttlich, however, the DFB said “debates on sports policy should be conducted internally and not in public”.
The DFB said a boycott “is not currently under consideration. The DFB is in contact with representatives from politics, security, business, and sports in preparation for the tournament”.
Trump has sowed discord in Europe with his takeover bid for Greenland and threats to impose tariffs on European countries that opposed it, while US actions in Venezuela and at home in dealing with protests in American cities have also raised alarm. The former Fifa president, Sepp Blatter, last week advised fans to stay away from the tournament, which starts on 11 June.
There has been disquiet in Germany over Trump’s behaviour on the global stage. The Germany international and Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka said on Wednesday that Trump’s actions have left him feeling “not only German but also European”.
The French government has ruled boycotting the World Cup, with the sports minister, Marina Ferrari, saying on Wednesday: “As it stands now, there is no desire from the ministry for a boycott of this great competition. Now, I will not anticipate what could happen, but I have also heard voices raised from certain political blocs.
“I am one who believes in keeping sport separate [from politics]. The World Cup is an extremely important moment for those who love sport.”
Fans already had concerns about high ticket prices, while travel bans imposed by the Trump administration could also prohibit supporters from some competing nations from attending.
Germany’s team, at least, will be there. “We want to compete fairly against the other qualified teams next summer,” the DFB said. “And we want fans worldwide to celebrate a peaceful festival of football in the stadiums and at fan zones – just as we experienced at the 2024 European Championship in our own country.”
Germany face Curaçao in Houston, Côte d’Ivoire in Toronto and Ecuador in New Jersey in the World Cup group stage. Germany have won the trophy four times, in 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014.
