European football chiefs are increasingly worried about US President Donald Trump's proposal to annex Greenland. A meeting of around 20 top association heads in Budapest on Monday saw informal discussions about how the sport could respond if Trump escalates his plans.
Football authorities have been tight-lipped about the situation, but they're expected to get more vocal as Trump's demands become more pressing, particularly with the US hosting a significant number of World Cup games this summer. Senior figures are concerned that military aggression towards Greenland would prompt Uefa-led boycotts or other major measures in protest.
Fifa officials are thought unlikely to follow suit, having forged close ties with Trump's government. However, calls for a boycott have resurfaced, and the German politician Jürgen Hardt has recently suggested it could be an option as a last resort. A petition in the Netherlands has gathered over 90,000 signatures.
The Greenland crisis has brought European football leaders together, united by deep concern about Trump's actions. There's recognition that this is a critical moment for Europe's security and future. Most associations are likely to follow their governments' responses, but there's a sense that if one big FA makes a stand, others will follow.
Discussions are set to continue ahead of Uefa's executive committee meeting in Brussels on February 11. However, no concrete steps emerged from the Budapest talks, with the situation moving quickly. A dramatic decision to accept Greenland as a Uefa member is unlikely, given its current isolation in football terms and the confederation's rejection of an application last year.
Fifa officials are also feeling embarrassed about their awarding of the "peace prize" to Trump last December. The organization has since stated that it stands by the award but has sparked controversy over the recipient.
Football authorities have been tight-lipped about the situation, but they're expected to get more vocal as Trump's demands become more pressing, particularly with the US hosting a significant number of World Cup games this summer. Senior figures are concerned that military aggression towards Greenland would prompt Uefa-led boycotts or other major measures in protest.
Fifa officials are thought unlikely to follow suit, having forged close ties with Trump's government. However, calls for a boycott have resurfaced, and the German politician Jürgen Hardt has recently suggested it could be an option as a last resort. A petition in the Netherlands has gathered over 90,000 signatures.
The Greenland crisis has brought European football leaders together, united by deep concern about Trump's actions. There's recognition that this is a critical moment for Europe's security and future. Most associations are likely to follow their governments' responses, but there's a sense that if one big FA makes a stand, others will follow.
Discussions are set to continue ahead of Uefa's executive committee meeting in Brussels on February 11. However, no concrete steps emerged from the Budapest talks, with the situation moving quickly. A dramatic decision to accept Greenland as a Uefa member is unlikely, given its current isolation in football terms and the confederation's rejection of an application last year.
Fifa officials are also feeling embarrassed about their awarding of the "peace prize" to Trump last December. The organization has since stated that it stands by the award but has sparked controversy over the recipient.
! I mean, who does Trump think he is trying to take over Greenland like that? 
It's just a big move to distract us from something else, if you ask me. And now football authorities are talking about boycotting the World Cup because of it? That's some major drama, fam 
. The petition in Netherlands is getting close to 100k signatures now, and I think we're just scratching the surface of something big here 
. Uefa's got their work cut out for them on Feb 11, that's for sure 
!
. i think they need to reevaluate their whole strategy on dealing with trump.
So like, if Trump really tries to annex Greenland... 
They're worried about the US hosting a lot of World Cup games this summer and having a big game in their backyard. 
They don't want any drama or protests at their events. 
️
I think it's cool that all these top association heads got together to discuss what they can do if Trump gets more aggressive. 
It shows that they're not just thinking about themselves, but also about the bigger picture. 
They want to protect Europe's security and future. 
Here's a simple mind map of how this situation could play out:
The international community is already speaking out against it. 
This could get messy... 
but not trying to take over someone else's land 
. Trump's proposal to annex Greenland is just a power play, and football authorities are too slow to react. I'm not surprised FIFA skipped the whole 'boycott' thing, they've got a sweetheart deal with the US govt 
. But the rest of us should be worried - this could escalate into something big, and we don't want US troops showing up in Greenland just because Trump's tantrum.
... but hey, at least they're consistent in their weird decisions.
. I'm all about supporting our European teams this summer at the World Cup, but if Trump escalates his plans, we might see a lot of drama unfold #TeamEuropeUnites #FIFAprobs 
. And if it comes down to it, a boycott is definitely something we should consider 
.
this is so messed up... like, who does trump think he is? annexing greenland over football?! 
it's like he's trying to be a superhero or something... newsflash, trump: you don't get to just make up your own rules like that... 
. I mean, who do these guys think they are, trying to annex an entire country just because they want some football games? It's not like Greenland has anything better to offer besides ice and snow 
. And now the whole of Europe is getting all worked up over it... European football chiefs are worried about a US president's ego trip 
. I bet if Trump didn't have his precious Twitter to spread his "thoughts", no one would even care about Greenland 
. Can we please just stick to football already? 
Can't wait to see how this all plays out... and probably just be another example of rich people worrying about rich people problems 
US President Donald Trump wants to annex Greenland?! 
UEFA and FIFA are trying to stay calm, but I can sense the anxiety coming through. If Trump does go through with his plans, it's likely that there'll be a huge backlash from European football teams, especially if there's even a hint of military aggression involved... that would be so not cool 
. I mean, annexing Greenland is basically saying you're not interested in the environment or the people living there. It's like taking steps backward instead of forward on sustainability goals.