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German Soccer Official Calls for Debate on World Cup Boycott Over Trump Policies
A high-ranking German soccer executive has sparked controversy by suggesting Germany should consider boycotting the upcoming FIFA World Cup in the United States due to concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies.
Oke Göttlich, president of Bundesliga club St. Pauli and one of the German Football Federation’s ten vice presidents, told Hamburg’s Morgenpost newspaper that “the time has come” to “seriously consider and discuss” a potential boycott of the tournament scheduled for June-July.
“What were the justifications for the boycotts of the Olympic Games in the 1980s?” Göttlich asked in the interview published Friday. “By my reckoning, the potential threat is greater now than it was then. We need to have this discussion.”
The United States is co-hosting the World Cup with Canada and Mexico, with matches scheduled across the three countries from June 11 to July 19. The tournament has already faced criticism over high ticket prices and travel restrictions imposed by the Trump administration that may prevent fans from certain competing nations from attending.
Göttlich specifically pointed to Trump’s recent actions in Europe, including his controversial bid to purchase Greenland—a semi-autonomous territory belonging to Denmark, a NATO member—and subsequent threats to impose tariffs on eight European countries that opposed the takeover attempt. These moves have created significant diplomatic tension, with some analysts warning they could potentially undermine the NATO alliance.
The St. Pauli president, whose club is well-known for its left-wing political stance, expressed frustration with what he sees as inconsistency in the German soccer federation’s approach to politics in sport. “Qatar was too political for everyone and now we’re completely apolitical? That’s something that really, really, really bothers me,” he said, referencing widespread criticism of the previous World Cup host.
Göttlich’s comments highlight an ongoing debate in international sports about when political concerns should override sporting participation. “As organizations and society, we’re forgetting how to set taboos and boundaries, and how to defend values,” he said. “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,” referring to the German federation president and FIFA president, respectively.
His call for boycott discussions will likely face resistance from both the German federation leadership and FIFA. After Germany’s disappointing performance at the Qatar World Cup, the national team’s new coach expressed a desire to avoid political distractions.
Hamburg-based St. Pauli has a long history of mixing sport with politics. Located near the city’s famous red-light district, the club is known for its skull-and-crossbones symbol, which was first used by local squatters and later embraced by fans identifying with punk culture. The club has consistently positioned itself as politically engaged, often advocating for progressive causes.
When asked whether a boycott might harm St. Pauli players who could represent their countries at the World Cup—including Australia’s Jackson Irvine and Connor Metcalfe, and Japan’s Joel Chima Fujita—Göttlich was unequivocal. “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,” he stated.
The comments come at a sensitive time in German-American relations and raise questions about the intersection of sports, politics, and international diplomacy as the soccer world prepares for one of its most prestigious tournaments.
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7 Comments
While I can understand the sentiment behind this proposal, I’m not sure a World Cup boycott is the best approach. Sporting events can sometimes transcend politics and bring people together. Perhaps there are other diplomatic channels to address the concerns over Trump’s policies.
That’s a fair point. Using sports as a diplomatic tool has worked in the past, so exploring alternative solutions may be more productive than an outright boycott.
This is a bold proposal, but I worry a boycott could further escalate political tensions rather than resolve them. The World Cup is a global event that brings people together, and participating could be an opportunity to make a statement through sport rather than forfeiting the chance to compete.
That’s a good point. Sports can sometimes act as a diplomatic bridge, allowing for dialogue and exchange even in the midst of political differences. Withdrawing entirely may not be the most constructive approach.
A World Cup boycott would be a drastic measure. I’m curious to hear more about the specific concerns the German official has regarding Trump’s policies and how they could impact the tournament. More dialogue to understand the issues at hand would be helpful before rushing to such a significant decision.
This is an interesting proposal, though boycotting the World Cup over political concerns is a major step. I wonder if there are other ways to address the issues with Trump administration policies without forfeiting the opportunity to compete. It’s a complex situation that merits careful consideration.
Boycotting the World Cup is a major decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. While I respect the German official’s concerns, I wonder if there are other ways to address the issues with the Trump administration’s policies without depriving players and fans of this global event. More discussion is warranted to explore all options.