Löw Voices Safety Fears for 2026 World Cup Hosts

COLOGNE, Germany — Former German national team coach Joachim Löw has voiced serious safety concerns over the 2026 World Cup, set to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, citing ongoing conflicts and regional instability that he believes could endanger participants and overshadow the event.

Löw, who guided Germany to the World Cup title in 2014, made the remarks in an interview with the Cologne Express newspaper, published on Tuesday. He drew parallels to previous tournaments marred by geopolitical tensions, including debates ahead of the 2018 event in Russia and boycott calls before the 2022 competition in Qatar. "But playing in a country that is actively at war is even more dangerous," Löw said. He pointed to the ongoing war between the United States and Israel against Iran, which escalated after attacks launched on February 28, as a primary threat. In Mexico, he highlighted a recent surge in violence following the Mexican army's killing of cartel leader Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, last month. "The political situation completely overshadows the tournament," Löw added.

The comments came during a Monday evening event in Cologne focused...