Sepp Blatter suggests fans boycott 2026 World Cup over security concerns
Former Fifa president says ‘fans should stay away from USA’ and boycott World Cup
- Sepp Blatter, the former Fifa president, has suggested football fans boycott the upcoming World Cup games in the United States due to security and safety concerns.
- Blatter publicly supported Swiss anti-corruption lawyer Mark Pieth, who advised fans to avoid travelling to the US over 'abuses by immigration services'. Blatter posted on social media on Monday quoting Pieth, saying: “‘For the fans, there's only one piece of advice: stay away from the USA!’ I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup.”
- This advice follows the deaths of two American citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after a crackdown by immigration agents.
- Pretti was reportedly shot dead while filming a protest, despite video evidence suggesting he posed no threat to federal agents.
- The United States is set to co-host the World Cup with Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July, with 78 games scheduled across 11 US cities.