Why a World Cup boycott is unlikely, and what it would take to organize one

A protester wearing a placard and distributing leaflets against the Soviet Union invasion of Afghanistan and advocating for the boycott of the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympic Games
“As U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to take over Greenland, and as agents of his government shot and killed two protesters in Minneapolis, calls for a boycott of the 2026 World Cup, which the United States will co-host with Canada and Mexico, have crescendoed. Those calls have not gained meaningful traction in circles that matter, at least as it relates to the World Cup. Discussion of a boycott has, thus far, come from critics of Trump and his tactics and policies, not from high-ranking soccer officials or government officials — the ones who actually wield power to deflate the tournament. The idea will linger, and could resurge this winter or spring if Trump, a notoriously unpredictable leader, sparks international condemnation. It’s therefore worth examining as the World Cup nears, even if a full-scale boycott feels unlikely. …”
NY Times/The Athletic