Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has urged football supporters to reconsider travelling to the United States for the 2026 World Cup.
Sepp Blatter suggested fans should “stay away” from USA-hosted matches after publicly backing comments made by Swiss lawyer Mark Pieth on X.
The remarks have added an unexpected point of discussion as preparations continue for the World Cup in North America.
Sepp Blatter urges fans to stay away from USA World Cup games
Sepp Blatter referenced a post on X from Swiss anti-corruption lawyer Mark Pieth when advising supporters to reconsider travelling to the United States for the World Cup.
Blatter publicly agreed with Pieth’s concerns and amplified the message to a wider audience.
“‘For the fans, there’s only one piece of advice: stay away from the USA!’ I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup.”
The comments focused on general concerns around civil unrest and stricter immigration laws in the United States under President Donald Trump’s second term. Sepp Blatter suggested those factors could affect the experience of international fans attending matches.
Although no longer involved in FIFA governance, Sepp Blatter’s decision to echo Mark Pieth’s remarks has reignited discussion around fan travel and host suitability ahead of the tournament.
2026 World Cup preparations continue amid travel debate
The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the tournament scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19.
The United States is set to stage the majority of matches, including several knockout fixtures and the World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Tournament organisers have continued preparations as planned, and FIFA has not responded publicly to the remarks from Sepp Blatter or Mark Pieth. Planning remains focused on delivering the expanded 48-team World Cup.
With global attention building ahead of 2026, the comments have placed renewed focus on fan travel and accessibility.
Whether the remarks influence attendance remains unclear, but they have added scrutiny to the environment surrounding the USA-hosted games.
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