France Quietly Wins the World Cup Debate: No Boycott, Just Football

France maintains stance on World Cup boycott calls

The French Football Federation has decisively ruled out the rising calls to boycott the 2026 World Cup.

President Philippe Diallo dismissed the speculation, insisting that France's squad participation in the upcoming tournament is settled and non negotiable, regardless of political pressure or voices urging a venue withdrawal.

In interviews with French newspapers, Diallo said: The World Cup must remain a football competition. Sport is a space that brings people together, not a runway for settling political scores. Blending the two is a mistake.

The French president's stance comes as his first World Cup draws near; he noted that while the world situation remains under scrutiny, there is no intention within the federation to boycott. France's participation is clear and unequivocal.

The French position contrasted sharply with Europe's wave of debate in recent weeks, where political and sporting voices across several nations—Germany among them—called for reopening the boycott file, citing U.S. policies under Donald Trump, notably visa restrictions and controversial stances.

In Germany, deputy head of the German Football Association, Ok Gotlish, argued the boycott file should be treated 'seriously,' underscoring a clear rift across the continent on the upcoming World Cup.

The debate extended beyond arguments for or against a boycott, with some French politicians even proposing to move the tournament entirely to Canada and Mexico, a precedent unseen in World Cup history.

Yet the French federation closed the file, leaving it to FIFA and insisting on a strict separation of sport from politics.

If politics shows up, France brings a baguette and calls it diplomatic bread.

Otherwise, the only red card today is democracy.