A World Cup boycott would be a big statement but unlikely to accomplish much | Leander Schaerlaeckens

A World Cup Boycott? Not Worth the Hype.

The recent call by German soccer federation vice-president Oke Göttlich for a potential boycott of the 2026 World Cup in response to what he perceives as Trump's administration policies has raised eyebrows among football fans and observers alike. While it's understandable that some might view the tournament as an opportunity to stage a symbolic protest against a US president accused of human rights abuses, the idea of a mass boycott may not be as effective as its proponents hope.

It's worth noting that even if a global boycott were to materialize, it would likely do more harm to those who organize and participate than to Trump or his administration. The World Cup's global reach has made it difficult for countries to exert significant pressure on the US government, especially considering that Fifa generates an estimated 90% of its revenue from broadcasting rights.

Moreover, there is a risk that the boycott would disproportionately affect smaller nations participating in the tournament, who rely heavily on ticket sales and tourism revenue. As Schaerlaeckens points out, any boycott would be "a small price to pay" compared to the grand scheme of things but could have a significant impact on local economies.

A more practical approach might involve protesting Trump's policies through peaceful demonstrations or other non-violent means during the tournament itself. This way, fans can still make their voices heard and show solidarity with causes they care about without compromising the integrity of the competition.

In conclusion, while a boycott may be an attractive idea for those seeking to express outrage against a US president accused of wrongdoing, it's unlikely to have a significant impact on global events or lead to meaningful policy changes. Instead, fans should consider using alternative means to make their voices heard and engage with the sport they love in a way that prioritizes respect, inclusivity, and social responsibility.

I don't think a world cup boycott is gonna make a difference . Like, what's the point of boycotting an event if it just affects all those smaller countries who are already struggling to make ends meet? It's like, let's focus on actually creating some change instead of just shouting about it from the sidelines . A peaceful protest or a fun march in support of what we care about is way more effective in getting our voices heard . Let's not forget that football brings people together in ways that can be really powerful for good

The idea of boycotting the World Cup is not as strong as I think it's gonna be . It'll only hurt smaller countries more than it'll hurt Trump . They need that money to survive. And protesting during the tournament is a better way to make a point without ruining the vibes . We should use our voices for good , not just causing chaos .

I don't think this is about taking down Trump's admin but about what we can really achieve as individuals . If we're gonna boycott it, what's the real end goal? Is it just to show our frustration or can we actually change something? I feel like boycotting might be a bit of a "show-off" move and not really making an impact . What if instead we focused on peaceful protests and using our voices for good during the tournament? We could still make a difference without hurting others in the process . It's all about how we choose to respond to challenges, right?

idk why ppl got so worked up about this boycott thing . its just a bunch of noise if u ask me. gonna be more harm to the little countries participating in the tournament than trumps admin . whats the point of boycotting if fifa is making most of its cash from broadcasting rights? and protesting during the game might be a better way 2 make ur voice heard without messing up the whole event

idk why people r so hyped about boycotting the world cup lol it's just a tournament . i think protestin is a better idea tho, like during the actual games or before, not at the last minuet when everything s already set in stone . smaller countries are gonna get hit hard if they boycott tho, and thats just not right

I dont think a world cup boycott is gonna work lol I mean its not like us can just stop watching footy or something. Its more important for us to make our voices heard thru peaceful protests and stuff. And let's be real, smaller nations participating in the tournament are gonna get hurt the most. We should focus on showing solidarity with what we believe in rather than risking people's livelihoods

[Image of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson with a calm expression, holding up 10 fingers with a hint of "nope"]

[Short clip of Peppa Pig running away from an imaginary problem]

[Troll face with a crossed-out World Cup ball]

[Image of a soccer ball with a megaphone and a "not worth it" stamp over it ]

[ GIF of a person shrugging and walking away from a protest march ]

[ Image of a World Cup trophy with a price tag on it ]

[ Meme of Donald Trump with a " small price to pay" caption and a soccer ball with a Band-Aid on it ]

the boycott idea is overhyped ... think about it, most ppl just wanna watch footy and enjoy themselves, but if there's a mass boycott, it'll just ruin the experience for everyone else. and what's gonna change anyway? Trump's policies won't magically get reversed just 'cause some ppl don't attend the World Cup ... instead of boycotting, let's organize some peaceful protests or awareness campaigns during the tournament itself, that way we can still show our support for social justice without messing up the beautiful game .

I think this whole boycott thing is overhyped . I mean, can you imagine if every country just suddenly decides not to participate? It's like trying to shut down a global institution without having a clear plan in place . And let's be real, the World Cup has become so big and influential that it's hard for any one country to even try to pressure the US government into changing its policies . Plus, I don't think smaller countries would stand a chance if they tried to organize a boycott - they'd lose out on revenue from ticket sales and tourism .

Instead of boycotting, we should be using more practical ways to make our voices heard, like peaceful protests or demonstrations during the tournament ️. That way, fans can still show their solidarity without disrupting the competition or hurting innocent people who just want to enjoy the game . It's all about finding a balance between being vocal and being responsible .

The notion of a World Cup boycott seems to be more of a symbolic gesture than an effective means of generating tangible change . In reality, any mass participation would likely have unintended consequences, such as stifling ticket sales for smaller nations and potentially harming local economies. A more pragmatic approach might involve peaceful protests or demonstrations during the tournament, allowing fans to express their disapproval while maintaining the integrity of the competition. This way, enthusiasts can engage with the sport in a responsible manner that promotes respect, inclusivity, and social responsibility.

lol what's next? a boycott of the World Cup because Trump's gotta go? I mean I get it, he's not perfect but let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater, FIFA gets like 90% of its cash from broadcasting rights, it's not like they're gonna be super affected by a boycott . and think about all those fans in smaller countries who rely on ticket sales & tourism revenue, that'd be like taking away their snack money . yeah let's protest Trump's policies peacefully during the tournament, get our voices heard without ruining the party .

I'm not sure about this whole boycott thing... it seems like people are getting worked up over nothing . I mean, don't get me wrong, Trump's policies need to be called out, but is a global boycott really gonna make a difference? It'll probably just hurt the smaller countries that are already struggling to make ends meet. And what's the point of protesting during the tournament itself if it's not gonna lead to actual change? I think we should be focusing on more positive ways to engage with our communities and support causes we care about, you know?

I mean, who doesn't want to boycott an entire country over one guy's tweets? Like, it's not like there are more pressing issues to address or anything. And good luck with that, btw, I'm sure the US government is just quaking in their boots thinking about a potential global boycott from soccer fans . And can we talk about how this whole thing is gonna affect those poor little countries that actually need the tourism revenue? Not cool, Oke Göttlich, not cool at all

I don't get why people wanna boycott the World Cup over this Trump guy . It's just a game, right? And if it causes problems for smaller countries who rely on tourism, that's not cool . Instead of boycotting, can't we just show our support (or non-support) through peaceful protests or something? That way everyone wins . I mean, the World Cup is supposed to be about the love of the game, not politics .

[Image of a cartoon World Cup trophy with a "boycott" stamp crossed out]

Boycotts rarely work out

[ GIF of a soccer ball getting kicked away ]

The real game-changer is peaceful protests, not boycotts

[ Image of a smiling Ronaldo holding a protest sign that says "Respect" ]

idk why ppl are hyped about this boycott , its gonna affect more people than just trump... like whats the point? smaller nations would take a hit from ticket sales & tourism revenue lol they'd probably struggle to make ends meet anyway plus protests during the tournament could be way more effective imo, shows solidarity without messing up the vibe of the game

I don't think a boycott is worth getting all worked up about . I mean, we're talking about a few hundred thousand people taking time off work to protest something that's already a bit of a hot mess . The idea that it'll really make a difference in terms of Trump's policies is pretty slim . And what about all the fans who are just excited for the soccer? It'd be such a shame if they got caught up in the drama . Instead, let's focus on finding ways to peacefully express our opinions and show solidarity with causes we care about . That way, we can still make our voices heard without ruining the party ️.

I think the whole boycott idea is a bit overblown tbh . I get why some people want to protest Trump's policies but a global boycott just seems like a PR stunt at this point . It's not like it'd really do anything to change his admin's mind or bring about meaningful change. Plus, it'd be harsh on smaller nations who rely on the tournament for tourism and ticket sales . Instead of boycotting the whole thing, why not just protest during the actual event? It's a more practical way to make your voice heard without disrupting the sport you love .