Donald Trump (foto: Screenshot)
British politicians have called for England and Scotland to boycott the 2026 World Cup in protest against Donald Trump’s threats over Greenland, as political pressure and international tensions continue to escalate.
Calls are growing in the UK for a boycott of the 2026 men’s World Cup following renewed controversy surrounding US President Donald Trump and his threats related to Greenland.
Several British MPs have suggested that England, Scotland and other home nations should refuse to take part in the tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, as a form of political protest.
Conservative MP and former minister Simon Hoare and Liberal Democrat MP Luke Taylor both raised the issue in the House of Commons, arguing that sport should be used as leverage to apply pressure on the US president.
Hoare said the UK should “fight fire with fire” and openly discussed whether King Charles III should cancel his planned state visit to the United States and whether national teams should refuse to play at the World Cup.
“He is thin-skinned, he has an ego and he doesn’t like to be embarrassed,” Hoare said. “Should football teams play in American stadiums for the World Cup? These are things which would embarrass the president at home.”
The political tension comes after Trump repeated his intention to bring Greenland under US control and threatened tariffs against the UK and European allies if they continue to oppose his plans. He has also refused to rule out using military force.
Luke Taylor echoed the call for strong measures, saying:
“We are not dealing with a rational man. He responds only to pride and spectacle. The government should consider both cancelling the state visit and a boycott of the World Cup.”
Labour MP Kate Osborne, chair of the Women’s Football All-Party Parliamentary Group, also backed the idea, saying that the USA should not be allowed to legitimise its position by hosting the tournament.
“The USA should not be able to participate in the World Cup, let alone host it,” she said.
The UK government has so far rejected the idea of a boycott.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the strategy of continued diplomatic engagement, saying that talks with Washington had already led to changes in US tariff proposals and progress on Ukraine-related security guarantees.
“This progress has come through engagement, not isolation,” she told Parliament.
The 2026 World Cup will begin on June 11.
Scotland are scheduled to play their first World Cup match in almost 30 years on June 14, while England are due to open their tournament against Croatia on June 17.
Scotland’s group matches are planned in Massachusetts and Florida, while England are set to play in Texas, Massachusetts and New Jersey.
Wales and Northern Ireland are still fighting for qualification and will meet in the play-offs in March.
The controversy has already spilled into sport and public events.
At a recent NBA game in London, a spectator shouted “Leave Greenland alone” during the US national anthem, drawing applause from parts of the crowd.
German politician Jürgen Hardt has also said that a World Cup boycott could be a “last resort” if diplomatic pressure fails.
Markets have reacted nervously to the escalating situation, with European stock indices falling after Trump repeated his tariff threats.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has already condemned what she called “completely unacceptable pressure”, adding:
“Borders cannot be changed by force, and small countries should not fear large countries.”
For now, no official decision has been taken regarding a sporting boycott.
But with the World Cup less than six months away and political tensions rising, the debate is rapidly moving from the margins into the mainstream.