France's sports minister says there is no current plan to boycott the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., keeping sports separate from politics. Betting implication: reduced chance of a national-team boycott market moving — punters can treat France as likely to participate, stabilising outright and match markets involving Les Bleus.
France Rules Out World Cup Boycott — For Now
France's sports minister Marina Ferrari said the country is not currently considering a boycott of the 2026 World Cup in the United States amid tensions linked to U.S. interest in Greenland. "At the moment we are speaking, there is no desire from the ministry to boycott this major, much-anticipated competition," Ferrari said. "That said, I am not prejudging what might happen."
Minister: Keep Sport Separate from Politics
Ferrari emphasised the need to keep sport distinct from diplomatic disputes and called the 2026 tournament — hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico — "an extremely important moment for all sports lovers."
Greenland Row Fuels Diplomatic Friction
Rising tensions over comments by the U.S. president about Greenland have strained relations with European allies, prompting heated debate at home about whether participation in the U.S.-hosted tournament is appropriate.
Calls for Boycott from Some Lawmakers
Leftist lawmaker Eric Coquerel urged that a boycott be considered, arguing it would be hard to imagine attending a World Cup in a country he accused of attacking neighbours and threatening Greenland. He suggested organisers could explore refocusing the event on Mexico and Canada.
Sporting Consequences and Betting Outlook
France — a two-time men's World Cup winner and 2022 runners-up — remain expected to take part. For bettors, the minister's stance reduces the immediate risk of boycott-driven market volatility and supports stability in outright and match markets involving France and the wider tournament.
USMNT players who could move or have moved in the January transfer window
France's sports minister said her country is not currently thinking about boycotting the FIFA World Cup in the United States amid growing tensions related to Donald Trump's quest to control Greenland.
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