Conservative and Labour MPs have called for a boycott of the 2026 World Cup in response to US President Donald Trump's threats towards Greenland and new tariffs on the UK. Simon Hoare, a senior Conservative MP, and Labour's Kate Osborne urged the government to consider withdrawing from the tournament as a diplomatic measure.
Hoare told Metro that boycotting the World Cup would 'refocus Trump's mind', adding that the UK should 'send as many messages as possible' that there are red lines on sovereignty. He described Trump's behaviour as that of a 'modern-day pirate, gangster, bully'.
Osborne, chair of the Women's Football All Party Parliamentary Group, said she supported the boycott, citing Trump's 'appalling record on human rights' and his threats against Greenland. She argued the US should not be allowed to host the tournament.
TV commentator Piers Morgan also backed the idea, suggesting that major football nations like England, France, and Germany should pause participation. Germany's politician Jurgen Hardt called a boycott a 'last resort' to make Trump 'see sense'.
The US will host 78 of 104 matches in the expanded 48-team tournament, with England and Scotland already qualified. The calls follow Hoare's earlier suggestion to cancel King Charles's state visit to Washington, endorsed by Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey.
