PARIS: France’s sports minister says her country is not currently thinking about boycotting the soccer World Cup in the United States amid growing tensions related to Donald Trump’s quest to control Greenland.
“At the moment we are speaking, there is no desire from the ministry to boycott this major, much-anticipated competition,” sports minister Marina Ferrari told reporters on Tuesday evening. “That said, I am not prejudging what might happen.”
Ferrari added that she wants to keep sports separate from politics.
“The 2026 World Cup is an extremely important moment for all sports lovers,” she said.
With the tournament kicking off in June in the United States, Canada and Mexico, the US president’s ambitions to wrest control of Greenland from NATO ally Denmark has the potential to tear relations with European allies.
In France, leftist lawmaker Eric Coquerel said the opportunity of a boycott by France, a two-time winner of the men’s World Cup, should be considered.
“Seriously, can we really imagine going to play the footie World Cup in a country that attacks its ‘neighbors,’ threatens to invade Greenland, undermines international law, wants to torpedo the UN,” he asked in a message posted on social media.
“The question seriously arises, especially since it is still possible to refocus the event on Mexico and Canada,” he wrote.
France lost to Argentina in the final of the World Cup in 2022.
France not considering soccer World Cup boycott over Greenland for now
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France not considering soccer World Cup boycott over Greenland for now
- “At the moment we are speaking, there is no desire from the ministry to boycott this major, much-anticipated competition,” Ferrari said
- “The 2026 World Cup is an extremely important moment for all sports lovers”
‘Serious performance’: Dubai Basketball win 14th straight ABA League game
- A 98-82 win over FMP at Coca-Cola Arena keeps the team at the top of the standings
DUBAI: Dubai Basketball maintained control of their ABA League campaign with a home win over Serbian club FMP, taking the Round 16 game at the Coca-Cola Arena by a score of 98-82.
The result pushed Dubai to 14-0 in the standings and kept them at the top of the table.
Dubai are the only team in the league still unbeaten, at home and away. This is the UAE-based team’s second season in the ABA League after a semi-final finish in their debut season.
Dubai Basketball head coach Jurica Golemac said of his team’s performance: “This was a serious performance and a well-deserved win. Defensively, especially in the second half, we showed the level we want to play at, and the team spirit continues to grow. The season is long, we’ve had challenges, but the character of the group is clear — we stay positive, keep building, and focus on every game.”
After being out with an injury for most of the season, one of Dubai Basketball’s biggest signings, Dzanan Musa, returned with a statement performance — the Bosnian shooting guard scored 21 points in just over 21 minutes of play. Aleksa Avramovic contributed in several areas with 13 points, six assists, and three rebounds, while also controlling tempo during key phases of the game.
Frontcourt production was another factor in Dubai’s consistency. Mfiondu Kabengele added 16 points, and Kenan Kamenjas finished with 13 points and seven rebounds. Dubai spread scoring responsibility and avoided prolonged scoring droughts throughout the contest.
FMP was led by Filip Barna with 21 points and six rebounds, with additional scoring from Scott, Stefanovic, Stanojevic, and Gasic. Despite balanced individual efforts, the visitors were unable to match Dubai’s efficiency.
Combined with control of key moments in the second and fourth quarters, that efficiency ensured another composed and convincing home win for Dubai Basketball.
The team head to their next game at Belgrade Arena against Red Star for EuroLeague Round 25.
