By Haifa Chairunisa
Germany is grappling with a growing debate over a potential boycott of the 2026 FIFA World Cup following tariff threats by U.S. President Donald Trump against several European countries, including Germany, over their opposition to his proposal to annex Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.
Trump has directed tariff warnings at eight European nations in connection with the Greenland issue, prompting some German lawmakers to question whether Germany should participate in the World Cup, scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Speaking to Sports Desk, Roderich Kiesewetter, a lawmaker from Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), said a trade confrontation with the European Union could make participation untenable. “If Trump follows through on his threat and launches a trade war with the European Union, it is difficult to imagine European countries taking part in the World Cup,” Kiesewetter said.
He added that such a move would signal a breakdown in transatlantic relations. “It must be clear that this would mark the end of the transatlantic partnership with the United States,” he told the Augsburger Allgemeine daily.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Sport Christiane Schenderlein emphasized that decisions regarding participation in major sporting events lie with sports governing bodies rather than political leaders. “This assessment should be made by the relevant associations. Iin this case, the German Football Association (DFB) and FIFA,” she said.
Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), the junior partner in Merz’s governing coalition, has also raised concerns, suggesting that a World Cup boycott could be considered as Berlin formulates its response to Trump’s threats.
Public opinion appears divided. A survey conducted by polling firm INSA found that 47 percent of Germans would support a World Cup boycott if the United States were to annex Greenland, while 35 percent opposed such a move.
FIFA is currently led by President Gianni Infantino, who is known to have a close relationship with Trump. Infantino previously introduced a special “FIFA Peace Prize,” which was awarded to Trump during the World Cup draw in December.