The French government has definitively dismissed suggestions of boycotting the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite escalating diplomatic tensions with the United States over Greenland. Sports Minister Marina Ferrari explicitly stated that her ministry possesses “no desire” to withdraw from the prestigious tournament following President Donald Trump’s threats to impose tariffs on France and seven other European nations.
The geopolitical conflict emerged from European leaders’ refusal to endorse Trump’s controversial proposal for the United States to assume control of Greenland, which the American president contends is vital for national security and NATO defense interests. Despite these mounting tensions, Minister Ferrari emphasized the importance of maintaining sports’ separation from political disputes during her Tuesday press briefing, as reported by French publication Le Monde.
The World Cup, predominantly hosted across American cities, represents an exceptionally significant event for global sports enthusiasts according to Ferrari’s statements. Her remarks preceded Trump’s anticipated address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he was expected to intensify rhetoric regarding American intentions toward Greenland—a self-governing Danish territory.
Meanwhile, the German government has delegated World Cup participation decisions to its national soccer administration, while FIFA President Gianni Infantino maintains cordial relations with Trump. The American president recently received FIFA’s inaugural Peace Prize during the World Cup draw ceremony in Washington D.C. on December 5th, which he described as “one of the great honors of my life.”
In related developments, the French Football Federation confirmed the national team’s training base at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts—a Boston suburb. France, competing in Group I, will conclude their round-robin stage against Norway on June 26th at Foxborough’s Gillette Stadium.