In 1966. Not one African nation participated in the World Cup due to a widespread boycott, according to Al Jazeera; a record 10 African teams are competing at the 2026 World Cup, but 60 years ago, the continent was absent from the event. Al Jazeera’s Samantha Johnson explored the reasons behind this boycott, which helped rework the tournament for generations to come.

Context Behind the 1966 Boycott

During the 1966 World Cup. 10 African countries refused to participate, as the boycott was a response to the decision of the International Football Federation (FIFA) to allow South Africa to compete. At the time. South Africa was under apartheid. A system of racial segregation and discrimination; the African teams viewed the inclusion of South Africa as a betrayal of anti-apartheid efforts and global solidarity against the administration.

According to Samantha Johnson, the boycott was a significant moment in the history of international sports, as it highlighted the political tensions of the time and demonstrated the power of sports to reflect and influence global events. The absence of African teams from the 1966 World Cup was not just a sporting issue but a political statement.

Impact on the World Cup

The 1966 boycott had lasting effects on the World Cup and international sports diplomacy. It led to increased awareness of the political implications of sports and encouraged future organizations to consider the social and political context of participating nations. In the following decades, the World Cup and other international tournaments became more inclusive, with a greater emphasis on human rights and social justice.

As a result of the boycott, FIFA and other international sporting bodies began to take a more proactive stance in addressing political issues within their member nations. The 1966 boycott helped establish the precedent that sports could and should be used as a platform for political change and solidarity.

Modern Comparisons and Trends

Fast forward to the 2026 World Cup, a record 10 African teams are competing, according to Al Jazeera. This is a stark contrast to 1966, when not a single African nation played in the tournament. The increased participation of African teams reflects the progress made in global sports diplomacy and the role of international sports in promoting unity and inclusion.

According to BBC Sport, the current U.S. president, Donald Trump, has not attended a single match of the 2026 World Cup. Despite the U.S. team winning two of their three group games and qualifying for the knockout stages, Trump has stayed away from the event. This contrasts with past U.S. presidents, such as Bill Clinton, who attended the opening match of the 1994 World Cup in Chicago.

Trump has praised the number of tickets sold by FIFA, calling it ‘the most successful World Cup they’ve ever had.’ However, his absence from matches has raised questions about his priorities and commitment to the event. In the build-up to the tournament, Trump emphasized its importance, even referencing it in an address at a rally on the eve of his presidential inauguration in 2023.

Trump played a central role at the draw in Washington, D.C., in December, where he was awarded FIFA’s inaugural Peace Prize by the organization’s president, Gianni Infantino. The two have forged a close relationship in recent years, with Infantino visiting both the Oval Office and Trump’s Florida residence, Mar-a-Lago.

However, when the U.S. played its opening match against Paraguay on 12 June in Los Angeles, the president was not in attendance. Trump has been a regular presence at other major sports events in the U.S., including the Super Bowl, the Club World Cup final, and the opening day of the golf’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage. Instead, Secretary of State Mark Rubio represented the administration.

Trump’s absence was notable, as he had prioritized an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event on the White House lawn two days later, celebrating his 80th and America’s 250th birthday. According to political strategist Federico de Jesus, Trump’s decision to skip the match is not out of character, given his history of balancing political and personal events.