Of the 104 matches scheduled, 78 are expected to take place in the US.
Germany is considering the possibility of boycotting the 2026 FIFA World Cup amid growing political tensions linked to the actions of United States President Donald Trump.
A senior official of the German Football Association (DFB) has said the time has come for “serious discussions” about a potential boycott of the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Of the 104 matches scheduled, 78 are expected to take place in the US.
Tensions between the U.S. and several European countries have escalated following President Trump’s controversial moves, including threats to acquire Greenland, a territory controlled by Denmark.
Trump also warned of imposing tariffs on eight European countries, including Germany, that opposed the move. Although the tariff threat was later withdrawn, diplomatic relations remain strained.
According to BBC Sport, DFB vice-president Oke Göttlich said on Saturday, “I really wonder when the time will be to think and talk about this [a boycott] concretely. For me, that time has definitely come.”
While the French government has said it is not currently in favour of a boycott, the Danish Football Association said it is “aware of the current sensitive situation.” Denmark is seeking qualification for the tournament through the play-offs.
Göttlich, who also serves as president of Bundesliga club St Pauli, compared the current situation to the US-led boycott of the 1980 Olympic Games following the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan.
“What were the justifications for the boycotts of the Olympic Games in the 1980s?” he asked. “By my reckoning, the potential threat is greater now than it was then. We need to have this discussion.”
Germany has a recent history of clashes with football authorities over political expression at major tournaments. During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FIFA warned players they could be booked for wearing the OneLove armband, intended to promote diversity and inclusion.
In response, German players covered their mouths during the team photograph before their opening match against Japan. Then coach Hansi Flick said the gesture symbolised that FIFA was “silencing” teams.
Reflecting on that episode, Göttlich questioned football’s selective approach to political issues.
“Qatar was too political for everyone, and now we’re completely apolitical?” he said. “That really bothers me. As organisations and as a society, we’re forgetting how to set boundaries and defend values.”
He added that clarity is needed from political leaders as well as football’s governing bodies, including the DFB and FIFA, on where those boundaries lie.