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

PARIS – Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Jan 26 suggested that he supports fans boycotting the 2026 World Cup matches in the United States 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 that fans should stay away from the US 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 US.

Blatter’s endorsement of his comments comes in the wake of the death of a second US citizen, Alex Pretti, last weekend.

The World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. A FIFA spokesperson declined comment.

“What we are seeing domestically – the marginalisation of political opponents, abuses by immigration services, etc – hardly encourages fans to go there,” Pieth said in an interview with Swiss daily Tages-Anzeiger last week.

“For fans, just one piece of advice: avoid the United States! You’ll get a better view on television anyway.

“Upon arrival, fans should expect that if they don’t behave properly with the authorities, they will be immediately sent home. If they’re lucky...”

Meanwhile, Oke Gottlich, president of the Bundesliga club St Pauli and a vice-president of the German Football Association, also said that the time had come to “seriously consider and discuss” a boycott, according to an interview in the Hamburger Morgenpost. 

Blatter stepped down as FIFA president in 2015 amid several scandals and was replaced by current boss Gianni Infantino.

In 2025, Blatter and former UEFA chief Michel Platini were acquitted definitively on charges stemming from a delayed payment of 2 million Swiss francs (S$3.3 million) that FIFA made to Platini in 2011 for consultancy services.

Former France star Platini said earlier in January that Infantino, who has forged a close relationship with US President Donald Trump, has “become more of an autocrat” and “he likes the rich and powerful”.

In other news, Brazil formally has told FIFA that it wants to host the 2029 Club World Cup, according to a report by ESPN Brazil.

The request was delivered during meetings in Rio de Janeiro as Infantino visited the country.

Infantino’s trip was focused on kick-starting the build-up to the 2027 Women’s World Cup, which will be staged across eight cities in Brazil.

Behind the scenes, Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) officials continued to push for FIFA’s expanded club tournament to grace South America’s biggest market.

FIFA did not run a traditional bidding contest for the 2025 edition – instead appointing the United States to stage the 32-team event – and has yet to outline how the 2029 host will be selected.

CBF president Samir Xaud has framed the talks as ongoing, saying in 2025: “It’s a subject I discussed with president Infantino... God willing, Brazil will host the 2029 Club World Cup.”

For 2029, Brazil has one club assured of a place in the tournament. Flamengo earned their spot by winning the 2025 Copa Libertadores title. AFP, REUTERS, BLOOMBERG