German Soccer Official Pushes For World Cup Boycott Talks

Germany is considering the unthinkable.

Oke Göttlich, one of the German Federation’s ten vice presidents, didn’t mince words when asked about a potential boycott of the 2026 World Cup. He told reporters that it is time for serious talks about boycotting the tournament in response to the actions of the US administration. 

Göttlich joins a growing group of soccer leaders calling for serious talks over a boycott of soccer’s biggest game.

Göttlich Cites 1980 Olympics, 2022 World Cup

While a boycott of the 2026 World Cup may seem extreme, we have seen similar actions in the past. 

Göttlich cited one of those examples when discussing a possible boycott. He brought up the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, when the US led a 60-nation boycott over the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan. That left just 80 to compete, tainting the games and undermining the USSR's chance to impress the world amid the Cold War.

The German soccer official also mentioned the 2022 World Cup, at which his country had criticized host Qatar over human rights violations. Several US officials, including former President Joe Biden, also helped put pressure on Qatar over the issue.

Big Money at Stake for the US

It is important to note that Göttlich and many others are pushing for talks rather than a boycott. This isn’t the same as demanding Germany’s immediate withdrawal, which would spike tensions during an already tumultuous time between the two allies. However, holding high-level discussions over a boycott would leave room for negotiation.

While President Trump would likely launch a social media smear campaign over talks, he knows a boycott would be devastating as his support continues to dwindle. The largest World Cup yet meant massive revenue hauls for federal, state, and local governments, who benefit from the tourism spike.

The US sports betting industry will also have a lot at stake. Soccer betting sites were expecting an influx of bettors from the US, as well as those visiting from around the globe. Those operators have invested millions to gain political influence and could pressure the White House to ensure the tournament opens with a full field.

US Wouldn’t be the Only Victim of Boycott

One factor complicating discussions of a World Cup boycott is the involvement of the other two hosts: Canada and Mexico.

Canadian relations with European allies have strengthened amid American political unrest, demonstrating a united front. The country has already made expensive investments in preparation for this summer’s tournament. That could strain tensions between the nations at a time when they need each other most.

Sadly, Mexico would be hit the hardest by a World Cup boycott. The country is far poorer than its two northern neighbors and was counting on the tournament to bring in badly needed funds. It would also devastate their public, who are far more attached to soccer than those in the US and Canada.