The German Football Association has confirmed it will hold a meeting to discuss boycotting the 2026 World Cup, which is co-hosted with the United States.

The German Football Association has ruled out boycotting the World Cup despite calls from insiders to send a message to US President Donald Trump.

FIFA said in a statement late on Friday: “We believe in the unifying power of sport and the global impact the FIFA World Cup can have. Our aim is to strengthen this positive force, not prevent it.”

The German Football Association said its executive committee met to discuss the option of boycotting the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, considerations first raised by DFB vice-president Ok Gottlich last week.

Gottlich, who is also chairman of Bundesliga club St. Pauli, cited Trump’s recent actions and comments and said it was time to “seriously consider” a boycott.

However, the DFB said that “debates on sports policy should take place internally and not in public”, in what appeared to be a public rebuke of Gottlich.

The German Football Association said that “no boycott is currently being considered. The German Football Association is in contact with representatives from the political, security, business and sports communities to prepare for the matches from June 11 to July 19.”

Trump’s purchase of Greenland and threats to impose tariffs on opposing European countries have sowed discord in Europe, while U.S. actions in Venezuela and at home in response to protests in U.S. cities have also raised alarm.

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter last week Fans are advised to stay away from the tournament.

However, when Blatter was president, he opposed calls to boycott the 2018 World Cup in Russia over concerns about Ukraine.

“Football cannot be boycotted in any country,” he said at the time.

Ahead of this summer’s tournament, fans are concerned about high ticket prices, while travel bans imposed by the Trump administration may also bar supporters from some participating countries.

At least the German team will be there.

“We want to compete fairly with other promoted teams next summer,” the DFB said. “We want fans around the world to celebrate a peaceful football festival in stadiums and fan zones – just like we experienced at Euro 2024 in our own countries.”