Germany may boycott 2026 World Cup to stop Trump from seizing Greenland
Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
Officials in Germany’s ruling circles are reportedly considering canceling the 2026 FIFA World Cup if US President Donald Trump decides to annex Greenland, states Jürgen Hardt, the CDU/CSU parliamentary group’s foreign policy spokesman.
“Refusing to host the tournament would only be considered as a last resort to make President Trump see reason on the Greenland issue,” Hardt, a close ally of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, said.
At the same time, he expressed confidence that NATO would reach a mutual understanding on security matters regarding the Greenland issue.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19 across 16 cities in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Trump’s interest in Greenland
Donald Trump first expressed interest in buying Greenland from Denmark during his first presidential term (2017–2021), even suggesting a price of $600 million per year for lifetime use of the island.
With his return to the White House in early 2024, Trump resumed talking about Greenland. Discussion about the island quieted for a time but intensified again in January 2026 following the operation to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro.
According to Trump, Greenland is strategically important for US security and defense. US officials and media reports suggest that the US is prepared to either purchase the island or seize it militarily. If purchased, the US is reportedly willing to pay up to $700 billion.
Trump has also said that Greenland should come under US control to host the Golden Dome missile defense system. He claims that without immediate action, the strategic island could be seized by Russia or China.
On Friday, January 16, it was reported that the US Congress is prepared to use its powers to block any unilateral actions by Trump regarding Greenland.
