Oke Göttlich, a vice president of Germany’s football federation (DFB) and president of FC St. Pauli, is calling for countries to consider boycotting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He says this is because of recent political actions by President Donald Trump. Göttlich believes football organizations can no longer ignore what he sees as aggressive moves against Europe from the host nation.
According to The Daily Mail, Göttlich said he feels “the time has come” to “seriously consider and discuss” pulling out of the tournament, which will take place across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. He is pointing directly at several recent diplomatic moves by President Trump that have put Europe and the US at odds.
President Trump has openly questioned NATO’s strength and value. He also recently tried to acquire Greenland, which belongs to NATO member Denmark. When eight European nations opposed the move, Trump threatened to impose new tariffs on those countries. Göttlich argues this is why the US deserves serious scrutiny as a host.
Operation Sports App
Your ultimate companion for sports gaming. Access in-depth coverage, thoughtful discussion, and a community built around the games—and sports—you love.
Your ultimate sports gaming companion.
The football world’s double standards on politics need to end
Göttlich isn’t holding back when discussing the need for organizations to defend their principles. He sees major hypocrisy in how the football world treats different host nations. “Qatar was too political for everyone and now we’re completely apolitical? That’s something that really, really, really bothers me,” he said.
He believes ignoring the current political climate sets a terrible precedent. “As organizations and society, we’re forgetting how to set taboos and boundaries, and how to defend values,” he warned. He challenged football leaders directly, saying “I would like to know from Donald Trump when he has reached his taboo, and I would like to know from Bernd Neuendorf and Gianni Infantino.”
Göttlich compared the potential 2026 boycott to historical Olympic Games boycotts in the 1980s. “By my reckoning the potential threat is greater now than it was then. We need to have this discussion,” he said. While sports organizations debate these issues, coaching changes continue making headlines across different leagues.
The idea will likely face huge resistance from DFB President Bernd Neuendorf and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. A political boycott would be a logistical nightmare for FIFA, which is already facing criticism over high ticket prices and travel bans.
Göttlich addressed the argument that a boycott would hurt players’ careers. He dismissed that concern, saying “The life of a professional player is not worth more than the lives of countless people in various regions who are being directly or indirectly attacked or threatened by the World Cup host.” His stance prioritizes human rights and diplomatic stability over the tournament. Similar to recent controversies surrounding NFL coaches, this story shows how personal decisions in sports can spark widespread debate.
Published: Jan 24, 2026 11:45 am