Sports
Donald Trump Threatens Drastic Action Against 6 Nations
Ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America, the United States President Donald Trump has threatened to take drastic action against six nations who are set to compete in the international showpiece in the summer and Trump’s recent remarks have complicated their participation.
As we edge closer to the end of the domestic 2025/26 football season, all eyes will soon turn on what each nation is capable of in the three host countries of Mexico, Canada and the United States – with the latter set to host the majority of the matches.
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Argentina, managed by Lionel Scaloni, will head to North America with the objective of retaining their glory in mind, but the likes of England, France, Spain and record winners Brazil will believe they have what it takes to be crowned champions on the international stage.
Donald Trump Claim Threatens the World Cup Spots of Six European Nations
Trump, who has not been afraid to cause a heap of controversy in the build-up to the 23rd instalment of the World Cup, has threatened a 25% tariff on a collection of countries in Europe until the US are allowed to purchase Greenland, the world’s biggest island.
Six of those nations – Norway, France, Germany, the United Kingdom (England and Scotland) and the Netherlands – have booked themselves a spot in this summer’s World Cup, but their participation could be thrown into doubt amid rising tensions between themselves and Trump.
The 79-year-old’s desire to acquire Greenland “one way or the other” has been at the top of his priority list since he captured Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro earlier in 2026.
He may have claimed that Greenland’s current status poses a national security threat to the United States, but a number of allies (namely Denmark) have opposed Trump’s desire.
Taking to Truth Social on Saturday, Trump claimed that he would impose a 10% tariff on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland beginning 1 February, “on any and all goods sent to the United States of America”, but that tariff will increase to 25% on 1 June.
“Starting on February 1st, 2026, all of the above mentioned Countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland), will be charged a 10% Tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America,” he wrote before adding:
“On June 1st, 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25%. This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.”
Read Donald Trump’s full Truth Social statement below:
In response to Trump’s comments, Ursula von der Leyen, the EU commission president, said in a statement that the Europeans “have consistently underlined our shared transatlantic interest in peace and security in the Arctic, including through NATO. The pre-coordinated Danish exercise, conducted with allies, responds to the need to strengthen Arctic security and poses no threat to anyone.”
“The EU stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland,” she added. “Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.”
Keir Starmer and Britain are among those who have claimed to stand with Denmark after Trump threatened to annex Greenland on national security grounds. The United Kingdom’s Prime Minister insisted it is for the people of Greenland and Denmark to decide the fate of Greenland.
Trump’s demands were initially rejected by the leaders of Greenland and by Nato member, Denmark, but the American decision-maker has not ruled out the use of military force in order to get his way.
At a White House meeting on rural healthcare on Friday, the President said, “I may put a tariff on countries if they don’t go along with Greenland, because we need Greenland for national security.” His latest update has now confirmed his plan to impose tariffs on those unwilling to back him.
In response to Trump’s initial threat that tariffs could be imposed, German politician Jurgen Hardt – a representative of the CDU/CSU parliamentary faction on foreign policy – claimed they have not ruled out the possibility of Julian Nagelsmann’s men withdrawing themselves from the World Cup finals between June and July.
Speaking to German publication BILD, Hardt said: “Dropping out of the tournament would, however, only be considered as a last resort in order to get Trump to see sense on the Greenland issue.” He did express confidence “that we will reach a better common understanding of security within NATO regarding the Greenland issue.”
Should Die Nationalmannschaft follow through, it could create a domino effect for other nations who feel uneasy regarding Trump’s desire to acquire Greenland, thus meaning the likes of Thomas Tuchel’s England may not hop on the plane to compete this summer.
In 2025, it was reported that Spanish government officials were contemplating whether to withdraw Luis de la Fuente’s La Roja from the highly-anticipated showpiece in protest of Israel being allowed to continue in their qualification campaign despite their actions in Gaza.
