Germany’s football federation, the DFB, has ruled out a boycott of the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, despite calls from within its own ranks to send a political message to US President Donald Trump. The DFB stated that it believes in the unifying power of sport and the global impact a Fifa World Cup can have, emphasising that its goal is to strengthen this positive force, not prevent it.
The federation’s executive committee met and discussed the possibility of a boycott, a consideration first proposed last week by DFB vice-president Oke Göttlich, who is also president of Bundesliga club St Pauli. Göttlich referred to Trump’s recent actions and statements, suggesting it was time to “seriously consider” a boycott. However, the DFB publicly rebuked Göttlich, stating that debates on sports policy should be conducted internally and not in public, and confirmed that a boycott is not currently under consideration.
The DFB said it 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 have also raised alarm. Former Fifa president Sepp Blatter last week advised fans to stay away from the tournament, which starts on 11 June.
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 also ruled out a boycott, with sports minister Marina Ferrari stating that there is no desire from the ministry for a boycott of the competition, and that she believes in keeping sport separate from politics.
Fans already had concerns about high ticket prices, while travel bans imposed by the Trump administration could prohibit supporters from some competing nations from attending. The DFB confirmed that Germany’s team will compete, stating: “We want to compete fairly against the other qualified teams next summer. And we want fans worldwide to celebrate a peaceful festival of football in the stadiums and at fan zones.” Germany face Curaçao in Houston, Côte d’Ivoire in Toronto, and Ecuador in New Jersey in the group stage.
