Sepp Blatter, who previously headed FIFA, expressed his dissatisfaction with the upcoming 2026 World Cup. On his social media, he urged football fans to refrain from traveling to the USA, where a significant portion of the tournament matches will take place.
Blatter supported the opinion of Mark Pieth, a Swiss lawyer and anti-corruption expert, who described the trip to America as risky. "I would advise all fans to stay away from the USA. Mark Pieth is absolutely right in his doubts about this World Cup," wrote the former FIFA president.
The main reasons for such a call are related to the strict immigration policy of the USA and security issues. In an interview with Swiss media, Pieth noted that in conditions of political instability and aggressive actions by immigration services, foreign fans may face deportation at the slightest suspicion from the authorities.
The expert added: "You can still watch all the matches on TV, and if you attempt to enter the country, there is a risk of being sent home on the next flight."
This criticism came against the backdrop of recent incidents in the USA, including the death of activist Rene Good and nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis due to the actions of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These events sparked protests and debates in Europe about the advisability of participating in the tournament. The vice-president of the German Football Association, Oke Göttlich, has already suggested the possibility of a boycott of the championship by European teams.
The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, with the United States hosting all key stages of the tournament, starting from the quarter-finals.
