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France’s sports minister addressed questions about whether the country would consider boycotting the 2026 FIFA World Cup in response to the United States’ recent “framework” agreement for control of part of Greenland.
French Minister of Sports, Youth and Community Life Marina Ferrari told reporters this week that the country has “no desire” to skip the cup, which is being held in North America this year.
“As things stand now, there is no desire on the part of the ministry to boycott this great competition,” Ferrari said. “Now, I’m not going to anticipate what could happen, but I have also heard voices from certain political blocs. I am one of those who believes in keeping sport separate [from politics]. “The World Cup is an extremely important moment for those who love sport.”
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The Greenlandic flag flies in Nuuk, Greenland, on January 20, 2026. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Far-left French politician Éric Coquerel has called for stripping the United States of hosting rights to the World Cup and has suggested a boycott by France.
“Seriously, can you imagine going to play the World Cup in a country that attacks its ‘neighbors’, threatens to invade Greenland and ignores international law?” Coquerel told reporters.
Trump announced Wednesday on Truth Social that the framework has been created for a deal for the United States to gain control of parts of Greenland.
“Based on a very productive meeting I had with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, we have formed the frame of a future agreement regarding Greenland and, indeed, the entire Arctic region,” he wrote.
THE STATE DEPARTMENT WILL BEGIN IMPLEMENTING THE FIFA PASS FOR FOREIGN SOCCER FANS LOOKING TO ATTEND THE WORLD CUP IN THE USA.
U.S. President Donald Trump receives the FIFA Peace Prize from Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, during the official draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 5, 2025, in Washington, DC (Emilee Chinn/FIFA via Getty Images)
“This solution, if consummated, will be great for the United States of America and all NATO nations,” Trump wrote in the post. “Based on this understanding, I will not impose the tariffs that were due to take effect on February 1. Additional discussions are underway regarding The Golden Dome as it relates to Greenland.”
During a speech at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland on Thursday, Trump seemed to indicate that he would not use force to seize Greenland.
Despite similar calls for sanctions in response to Trump’s foreign policy, the United States has also not been penalized by any major sports body for its recent intervention in Venezuela.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has responded to calls to exclude the United States and its athletes from the upcoming Winter Olympic Games over intervention in Venezuela. The committee ruled out any sanctions against the US.
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“As a global organization, the IOC has to manage a complex reality. The IOC has to deal with the current political context and the latest events in the world,” the IOC said in a statement provided to Pak Gazette Digital.
“The ability to bring together athletes, no matter where they come from, is fundamental to the future of a truly global and values-based sport, which can give hope to the world. For this reason, the IOC cannot get directly involved in political issues or conflicts between countries, as they fall outside our sphere of competence. This is the sphere of politics.”
