French Sports Minister Marine Ferrari said that France is not considering boycotting the 2026 World Cup for now, despite growing tensions linked to Donald Trump's ambitions to take control of Greenland.
"At this moment, there is no desire on the part of the ministry to boycott this great and long-awaited competition. This, however, does not mean that I prejudge in advance what might happen," Ferrari told reporters on Tuesday evening.
The minister added that she wants sports to remain separate from politics.
"The 2026 World Cup represents an extremely important moment for all sports fans," Ferrari pointed out.
The tournament is set to begin in June and will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and the US president's ambitions to pull Greenland out of the scope of NATO ally Denmark could further strain relations with European allies.
In France, left-wing MP Eric Cockerel said that the possibility of a boycott by France, two-time winners of the men's World Cup, should be considered.
"Can we really imagine going to play the World Cup in a country that attacks its 'neighbors', threatens to invade Greenland, undermines international law and wants to undermine the United Nations?" Cockerell said in a message posted on social media.
"The question is being seriously raised, especially since it is still possible to focus the event on Mexico and Canada," he added.
France was defeated by Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final.
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