Sepp Blatter: Ex-Fifa boss suggests fans should not travel to US for World Cup

AFP

27 Jan, 2026 04:01 PM2 mins to read

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Former Fifa boss Sepp Blatter has suggested he supports a fan boycott of the men’s World Cup. Photo / Photosport

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Former Fifa president Sepp Blatter has suggested he supports fans boycotting World Cup matches in the United States this year due to security concerns.

Blatter gave his support to comments from anti-corruption lawyer Mark Pieth, who worked with Fifa on potential reforms when Blatter was boss, saying fans should stay
away from the USA for the tournament.

“I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup,” Blatter said on social media.

Pieth cited the killing of protester Renee Good by an American immigration agent in Minneapolis earlier in January as one reason for supporters not to travel to the USA, with Blatter’s endorsement of his comments coming in the wake of the death of a second US citizen, Alex Pretti, last weekend.

The World Cup is due to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11-July 19 (local time; it starts on June 12 NZT).