U.S. actions on immigration and aggressive foreign policy have led ave some world leaders to consider a boycott of the FIFA World Cup in the country.
Leaders and politicians in Germany, Britain, and France are among those suggesting a boycott of the games in the US, including here in Los Angeles, citing the violent immigration crackdown, the US's actions in Venezuela and against Iran, and its insistence on acquiring Greenland.
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass said she thinks a boycott would be terrible.
“But I also think it sends a message to the administration,” she said. “We need to show a better face to the world, that we are going to welcome people here, that they're not going to have immigration problems.”
Soccer great Mia Hamm, who's a World Cup LA ambassador, said we need to be “the hospitable host that we all want to be.”
“Our country is better than this, and we have an opportunity to show the world just how inclusive we are, and so you know I'm hoping that we make better choices,” she said.
Men's soccer legend Kobe Jones, who is also an ambassador, said he's not concerned about a boycott.
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“If I am correct from what I've read so far, there's been a lot of pushback on that because everyone understands that the World Cup, yes, it's the biggest sporting event in the world, but this is also an opportunity to bring people together,” he said.
Los Angeles will be hosting 8 matches at SoFi Stadium, including two U.S. men's games. It all starts June 12th in Exposition Park.
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