First calls for a boycott of the World Cup over Trump’s Greenland threats
Conservative and Labour MPs have become the first voices to call for a boycott of the World Cup this summer after Trump announced new tariffs on the UK.
Simon Hoare and Kate Osborne said the government needed to ‘push every button and pull every lever’ to show its objection to the US president’s threats towards Greenland.
Mr Hoare, a senior Conservative MP, told Metro that could include not going to the World Cup, a day after he called for the King’s state visit to the US to be cancelled.
Labour MP Ms Osborne agreed that the tournament should be boycotted because Trump was ‘threatening Greenland and attacking our own government’.
(Picture: Roger Harris/UK Parliament/PA Wire)
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The Republican president has become the face of the 2026 World Cup, which the United States are hosting this summer along with Canada and Mexico.
He was also awarded FIFA’s inaugural peace prize in December.
America will host 78 of the 104 fixtures in the expanded 48-team men’s World Cup.
England and Scotland have both qualified for the tournament in June, while Wales or Northern Ireland could also book their places through the play-offs.
Questions have been raised about whether European countries should go to the tournament after Trump announced he would place 10% tariffs on the eight countries over their refusal to let Trump take over Greenland.
German politician Jurgen Hardt said on Friday that boycotting the World Cup could be a ‘last resort’ to ‘to get Trump to see sense on the Greenland issue’.
Mr Hoare, who represents North Dorset, has joined those calls, telling Metro that dropping out of the spectacle would ‘refocus Trump’s mind’.
He told Metro: ‘We should send as many messages as possible to the Trump administration and the American people that there are certain red lines in regards to upholding sovereignty and international affairs.
‘If that means not going to the World Cup then we shouldn’t go to the World Cup.
‘If it means cancelling a state visit, then we should cancel the state visit.
‘Trump is looking forward to America hosting the World Cup and all the benefits that accords to America.
‘We need to send a message to the White House that leadership has responsibilities.
‘It doesn’t allow you to behave like some modern-day pirate, gangster, bully.’
On Sunday, Mr Hoare called for King Charles’ spring visit to Washington to be scrapped – a suggestion endorsed by the Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey.
Now a boycott of the World Cup has also found agreement across the political spectrum.
Labour’s Kate Osborne MP, who is chair of the Women’s Football All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), said she ‘supports those calling for a boycott.’
The Jarrow and Gateshead East representative told Metro: ‘Trump’s appalling record on human rights, climate change, his flagrant contempt for the rule of law, his attacks on democracy, and an illegal war in Venezuela is not enough for him.
‘Now he is threatening Greenland and attacking our own government & politicians.
‘Last year there was huge public support for the successful campaign to refuse to legitimise Trump by allowing him the honour of addressing Parliament.
‘We need to see the same now in relation to the World Cup.
‘The USA should not be able to participate in the World Cup, let alone be part of hosting it, so yes I support those calling for a boycott.’
Three Lions Pride, England’s official LGBTQ+ fan group, also announced last week they would not have a ‘visible presence’ at the 2026 Men’s World Cup due to what they called a ‘dangerous rollback of human rights’ in the US.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to take place from June 11 to July 19, with 16 cities hosting the tournament – 11 in the US, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
Labour MP Richard Burgon stopped short of endorsing a boycott, but called for the US to be barred from hosting the tournament.
He told Metro: ‘With Trump ripping up the international rulebook, letting the US host the World Cup would be a political gift to him and a complete own goal.
‘You don’t reward bullies — you have to stand up to them. The World Cup should be moved to another country to send a clear message that international law still matters.’
The US president announced over the weekend that he would be imposing 10% tariffs on the UK, increased to 25% from June 1, until a deal is reached for Washington to purchase Greenland from Denmark.
He said the same would apply to Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland.
The move sparked outrage across Europe, with Sir Keir Starmer telling an emergency press conference today that tariffs were ‘completely wrong’.
He added: ‘It is not the right way to resolve differences within an alliance, nor is it helpful to frame efforts to strengthen Greenland security as a justification for economic pressure.’
In a joint statement warning about the potential impact of such a move, the eight affected NATO countries warned Trump’s actions could create a ‘dangerous downward spiral’.
They said: ‘We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland.
‘Building on the process begun last week, we stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind.
‘Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.’
Metro has approached the Football Association and the Government for comment.
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