France’s Sports Minister said she does not foresee the country withdrawing from the 2026 World Cup because of threats from United States President Donald Trump, amid Europe’s support for an autonomous Greenland.
The majority of World Cup games will be played in the United States.
Trump has said he intends to impose tariffs on France and seven other European countries for not supporting his plan to take control of Greenland, which the president considers vital to national security and the security of NATO countries.
“As things stand today, there is no intention on the part of the ministry to boycott this great competition,” said Sports Minister Marina Ferrari. “I’m not going to anticipate what might happen, but I’ve also heard voices being raised in certain political blocs. I’m someone who believes in keeping sport separate [da política]. The World Cup is an extremely important moment for anyone who loves sport.”
Ferrari’s comments were made before Trump spoke this Wednesday (21) to world leaders at the World Economic Forum, in Davos, Switzerland, when he intensified his rhetoric about the United States’ intention to control Greenland. The territory is autonomous and belongs to Denmark.
This week, the German government stated that it will leave decisions about the World Cup to the entity that administers football in the country.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Trump have developed a friendly relationship. On December 5, the day of the World Cup draw in Washington, Infantino presented Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize.
“This is truly one of the great honors of my life,” Trump said.
Also on Tuesday, the French Football Federation announced that the team will train at Babson College, in the suburb of Wellesley, in the Boston region. The team, which was assigned to Group I in the group stage, will play its final qualifying round game against Norway on June 26 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
