PARIS — France’s sports minister has stated that there are no current plans for the country to boycott the FIFA World Cup in the United States, despite rising tensions linked to Donald Trump’s efforts to gain control of Greenland.
Marina Ferrari, the sports minister, addressed reporters on Tuesday, saying, “At this time, the ministry has no intention of boycotting this significant and eagerly awaited event. However, I am not ruling out any future possibilities.”
She emphasized the importance of keeping sports and politics separate.
“The 2026 World Cup represents a vital moment for sports enthusiasts everywhere,” she noted.
As the tournament is set to begin in June across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, tensions surrounding the U.S. president’s ambitions regarding Greenland, which may disrupt relations with European allies, have arisen.
In France, leftist lawmaker Eric Coquerel suggested that a boycott by the two-time World Cup champions should be considered. He raised questions on social media about the appropriateness of participating in an event hosted by a country that is perceived as aggressive towards its neighbors.
“Can we genuinely envision attending the World Cup in a nation that threatens to invade Greenland and undermines international law?” he asked. “This is a serious concern, especially since there are still options to host the event in Mexico and Canada.”
France lost to Argentina in the final of the 2022 World Cup.