France Rejects 2026 World Cup Boycott Amid US Tensions

France's sports minister stated on Tuesday that the country has no plans to boycott the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the United States, despite escalating diplomatic tensions over President Donald Trump's efforts to acquire control of Greenland. The remarks came as a French lawmaker called for reconsidering France's participation in the tournament, highlighting concerns about the separation of sports and geopolitics.

Marina Ferrari, the sports minister, addressed reporters in Paris, emphasizing the event's significance for global soccer fans. "At the moment we are speaking, there is no desire from the ministry to boycott this major, much-anticipated competition," she said. Ferrari stressed her commitment to insulating athletics from political disputes, adding, "The 2026 World Cup is an extremely important moment for all sports lovers." She left room for future developments, noting, "That said, I am not prejudging what might happen."

The tournament is scheduled to begin on June 11, 2026, and run through July 19 across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. France, a two-time World Cup champion that reached the 2022 final before losing to Argentina on penalties,...