France’s Sports Minister Addresses Boycott Speculation Ahead of FIFA World Cup

PARIS — France’s Sports Minister, Marina Ferrari, stated that the country is not considering a boycott of the FIFA World Cup set to take place in the United States, amidst rising tensions linked to Donald Trump’s attempts to exert control over Greenland.

“At this moment, the ministry has no intention of boycotting this significant and eagerly awaited tournament,” Ferrari informed reporters on Tuesday. “However, I am not ruling out any potential developments.”

Ferrari stressed the importance of maintaining a distinction between sports and political issues, underscoring the significance of the 2026 World Cup for sports enthusiasts worldwide.

As the tournament approaches, set to commence in June across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the U.S. President’s ambitions regarding Greenland could strain relations with European allies, including France.

In response, leftist lawmaker Eric Coquerel suggested that the idea of a boycott should be seriously considered. “Can we truly envision participating in a World Cup in a nation that threatens its neighbors, seeks to invade Greenland, undermines international law, and attempts to destabilize the UN?” he questioned in a recent social media post.

He further noted that there is still the possibility to relocate the event to Mexico and Canada, urging for a reevaluation of France’s participation.

It is worth mentioning that France was defeated by Argentina in the final of the 2022 World Cup.