Your Independent Journal from the Heartland
I’m a soccer fan and loved playing it in Denmark during my teens. Nevertheless, it is incumbent for us to support efforts to boycott the upcoming World Cup. However, in my opinion, it may only be necessary to cancel matches in the US (“A Call Is Rising for Nations to Boycott the Trump World Cup,” by Dave Zirin, TPP, March 2026).
Given the volatile political conditions, it would seem unsafe for visiting players and fans to currently be in our country. Furthermore, we hardly need to add to Der Fuehrer’s vainglorious, narcissistic hosting ego. It was more than enough to watch FIFA chief Gianni Infantino recently fawn over Trump. Memories of a near US boycott of Hitler’s 1936 Berlin Olympics come to mind.
It might be possible to satisfy worldwide interest by having games in each of the 12 groupings played in a “host” country from each of these groups. The ensuing knock-out stages could then be played in co-host countries Canada and Mexico.
To help promote the boycott, sign an avaaz.org petition and email leading German soccer official, Oke Goettlich, at okegoettlich@gmail.com.
RICHARD LAYBOURN, Bloomington, Minn.
