PARIS — In a controversial intervention, former FIFA President Sepp Blatter has publicly endorsed calls for football fans to boycott the upcoming World Cup matches in the United States, citing significant security apprehensions. The ex-football administrator aligned himself with remarks made by Swiss anti-corruption expert Mark Pieth, who previously collaborated with FIFA on governance reforms during Blatter’s tenure.
Blatter utilized social media to voice his agreement with Pieth’s assessment, stating, “I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup.” This endorsement follows Pieth’s recent interview with Swiss publication Tages-Anzeiger, where he pointed to specific incidents of alleged state violence as justification for his travel advisory. Pieth referenced the January killing of protester Renee Good by an immigration agent in Minneapolis, an event which was subsequently followed by the death of another US citizen, Alex Pretti, last weekend.
The anti-corruption advocate presented a stark warning to prospective attendees, asserting that domestic developments—including the marginalization of political opponents and abuses by immigration services—create an unwelcoming environment for international visitors. “For fans, just one piece of advice: avoid the United States! You’ll get a better view on television anyway,” Pieth advised, adding that authorities would likely deport fans immediately for even minor infractions.
The 2026 World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, represents the first tournament to be jointly hosted by three nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Blatter’s involvement comes nearly a decade after his resignation from FIFA’s leadership in 2015 amidst multiple corruption scandals. He was succeeded by current president Gianni Infantino, who has since developed close ties with US political figures including former President Donald Trump.
This latest commentary from Blatter emerges approximately one year after he and former UEFA head Michel Platini were definitively acquitted on charges related to a controversial $2.5 million payment made by FIFA to Platini in 2011. Interestingly, Platini himself recently criticized Infantino’s leadership style, describing him as having “become more of an autocrat” who “likes the rich and powerful.”