BERLIN (DPA, CONVERSEER) – Bavarian state premier Markus Söder has advised the German men’s national football team to avoid politics at the World Cup in North America in June and July.
Germany were knocked out in the group stage for the second straight edition in Qatar in 2022. The tournament was dominated by a row over whether captains including Manuel Neuer could wear a rainbow armband in support of diversity.
Many German fans believe the spat distracted the players and Söder wants to avoid a similar situation in the United States, Mexico and Canada given the controversial policies of US President Donald Trump.
“My advice – as little politics as possible. We tried that once in Qatar, but it didn’t work out. Not a second time, please,” Söder, tipped as a future German chancellor, told t-online on Tuesday.
“I hope that this time the team are free to play football and don’t receive 1,000 political tips from back in Germany.”
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann will name his squad on Thursday for two World Cup warm-ups later in March.
