World Cup Under Shadow: Football Leaders Discuss Potential Trump Disruption
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European football officials are increasingly concerned about the potential impact of US political tensions on the upcoming summer World Cup, prompting discreet discussions about possible responses, including a potential boycott.
On Monday, the Hungarian Football Association marked its 125th anniversary with a significant event in Budapest, attended by prominent figures including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. However, according to reports from The Guardian, the celebratory atmosphere masked a more serious undercurrent: informal consultations regarding the increasingly unpredictable foreign policy of former US President Donald Trump and its potential to disrupt the tournament.
Greenland Dispute Fuels Concerns
The discussions centered on the potential fallout from Trump’s past interest in annexing Greenland, and the possibility of retaliatory tariffs impacting nations participating in the World Cup. The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is heavily weighted towards the US, with 11 of the 16 host cities located within American borders and 78 of the 104 matches scheduled to be played on US soil.
“European football leaders are increasingly worried” about the intentions of the American president, The Guardian reported, citing sources familiar with the closed-door meetings. The concern stems from the fact that six of the twelve European national teams qualified for the World Cup hail from countries previously threatened with punitive tariffs by Trump due to the Greenland issue – France, England, Scotland, the Netherlands, Germany, and Norway.
Calls for a Unified Response
While football associations have remained publicly silent on the escalating international situation, pressure is mounting for a response. A petition circulating in the Netherlands had already garnered nearly 90,000 signatures by Tuesday evening, demonstrating growing public concern. According to sources, a proactive approach is being considered, though specific strategies remain undisclosed. “It seems that if one of the continent’s major football associations stood up, others would follow,” one source told The Guardian.
The situation is further complicated by the close relationship between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the former US president. Infantino even received the FIFA Peace Prize from Trump in December of the previous year. While FIFA officially downplays the likelihood of escalation, uncertainty within the sport is palpable.
Hungary’s Position and Tournament Implications
Hungary, however, is expected to align with FIFA and the United States should a breach occur. The Hungarian national team’s absence from the tournament – having narrowly missed qualification – further distances the nation from the immediate impact of potential disruptions.
The unfolding situation presents a significant challenge for the global football community, forcing leaders to navigate a complex geopolitical landscape while striving to ensure the integrity and success of the World Cup. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether these concerns will remain behind the scenes or escalate into a public crisis that threatens the world’s most popular sporting event.
