German club Werder Bremen has canceled its plans for a tour of the United States, including a match in the protest-stricken city of Minneapolis, partly for political reasons.
Bremen had been planning a summer tour scheduled for next May, featuring friendly matches in Minneapolis and Detroit, ahead of the 2026 World Cup finals in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. However, the club decided to cancel the trip, citing a misalignment with its values, as stated by a club spokesperson.
Trump Tightens Immigration Measures
Thousands of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been deployed in Minneapolis in recent weeks as part of a campaign to tighten immigration measures launched by US President Donald Trump.
US citizens René Good and Alex Pretty were shot and killed in January during massive protests against the presence of ICE in the city.
The official spokesperson for Werder Bremen confirmed that the cancellation of the football team’s US tour was due to sporting, economic, and political reasons, adding that playing in a city experiencing unrest and shooting incidents does not align with the club’s values.
Other factors to consider include new US entry requirements, which involve a review of social media activity.
The Werder Bremen spokesperson added: “It was unclear to us which players would be able to enter the United States due to the stricter entry conditions.”
Currently in 16th place with 19 points and threatened with relegation, the official spokesperson explained that the possibility of dropping to the second division made planning the trip more difficult, in addition to certain economic risks.
European clubs regularly undertake tours during the off-season to gain match experience and enhance their international presence, with the United States being a popular destination for European teams.
Bremen, a four-time German champion who last won the Bundesliga in 2004, is one of the most politically engaged German clubs and frequently speaks out on social issues.
In 2024, Werder Bremen was among a small number of German clubs to leave the platform X, declaring it had become a platform for hate speech, minority hatred, far-right posts, and conspiracy theories under the management of its owner Elon Musk.
Bremen’s coach Daniel Thioune (51) commented on Friday on the racism case involving Brazilian player Vinícius Júnior.
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The Brazilian player accused Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni of directing racial abuse at him during Real Madrid’s 1-0 win in Lisbon last Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League playoff round, telling the referee that the Argentine had called him a “monkey” during a verbal altercation between them.
Thioune, the first Black German coach in professional football in Germany, stated that racism has no place in football and should have no place anywhere in society.
Werder Bremen
Werder Bremen is a German professional football club based in Bremen, founded in 1899. It is one of the country’s most historic clubs, having won the Bundesliga title four times and the DFB-Pokal six times, and is known for its strong fan culture and distinctive green-and-white colors.
United States
The United States is a federal republic founded in 1776 after declaring independence from Great Britain, with its modern government established by the Constitution in 1789. Its history encompasses westward expansion, the Civil War, industrialization, and its emergence as a global superpower in the 20th century. The nation is defined by its diverse population, democratic institutions, and significant cultural influence worldwide.
Minneapolis
Minneapolis is a major city in Minnesota, founded on the Mississippi River’s Saint Anthony Falls, which provided hydropower for its early growth as a national flour milling center. Its name combines the Dakota word “minne” for water and the Greek “polis” for city, reflecting its deep indigenous roots and industrial history. Today, it is known for its vibrant arts scene, extensive park system, and modern urban landscape.
Detroit
Detroit is a major city in Michigan, USA, historically renowned as the global center of the automotive industry, earning it the nickname “Motor City.” Founded in 1701 by French colonists, it grew into a manufacturing powerhouse in the 20th century, though it later faced significant economic and population decline. Today, the city is undergoing a cultural and economic revitalization, known for its contributions to music, particularly Motown, and its rich architectural heritage.
World Cup
The FIFA World Cup is an international football tournament first held in 1930 in Uruguay. Organized by FIFA, it is contested every four years by the senior men’s national teams of its member associations and is the world’s most widely viewed sporting event.
USA
The United States of America is a federal republic founded in 1776 after declaring independence from Great Britain. Its history is marked by westward expansion, industrialization, and its emergence as a global superpower in the 20th century. The nation is defined by its diverse population, democratic institutions, and significant cultural influence worldwide.
Canada
Canada is a country in North America formed through the union of British and French colonial territories, becoming a self-governing dominion in 1867. It is known for its vast natural landscapes, multicultural society, and a historical development deeply influenced by Indigenous peoples, colonization, and subsequent waves of immigration.
Mexico
Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country with a rich cultural history rooted in ancient civilizations like the Maya and Aztec, followed by Spanish colonization for three centuries. It gained independence in 1821 and is now known globally for its vibrant traditions, diverse cuisine, and numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a U.S. federal law enforcement agency established in 2003 under the Department of Homeland Security following the September 11 attacks. Its primary mission is to enforce federal immigration laws, conduct criminal investigations, and manage the detention and removal of unauthorized non-citizens.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is a businessman and media personality who served as the 45th President of the United States from 2017 to 2021. His presidency was marked by a populist and unconventional political style, significant tax reforms, and a focus on immigration restriction and “America First” foreign policy.
Bundesliga
The Bundesliga is Germany’s premier professional football league, founded in 1963 to create a unified national competition. It has grown into one of the world’s most popular and financially successful football leagues, renowned for its high attendance, competitive balance, and development of world-class talent.
X
X is a historic site known for its significant cultural and architectural heritage. It was originally constructed during [specific period or dynasty, if known] and has since served various roles, such as [mention key historical functions, e.g., a royal palace, religious center, or trading hub]. Today, it stands as a popular destination for visitors interested in its rich past and enduring legacy.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk is a South African-born entrepreneur and business magnate best known for founding or leading companies such as SpaceX, Tesla, and X (formerly Twitter). His career is defined by a focus on advancing technologies like reusable rockets, electric vehicles, and neural interfaces, aiming to address global challenges such as sustainable energy and multi-planetary colonization.
Benfica
Benfica is a historic Lisbon neighborhood most famous for being the home of Sport Lisboa e Benfica, one of Portugal’s most successful football clubs, founded in 1904. The area’s modern identity is deeply intertwined with the club’s history and its iconic Estádio da Luz stadium, which was rebuilt for the UEFA Euro 2004 tournament.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain, founded in 1902. It is one of the world’s most successful and famous football clubs, historically renowned for its European success, including a record number of UEFA Champions League titles. The club plays its home matches at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, which has been its iconic home since 1947.
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital and largest city of Portugal, with a history dating back over 3,000 years to Phoenician settlements. It became a major hub during the Age of Discovery in the 15th and 16th centuries, though much of its historic architecture was rebuilt following a devastating earthquake in 1755. Today, it is known for its iconic yellow trams, historic neighborhoods like Alfama, and monuments such as the Belém Tower.
Champions League
The UEFA Champions League is an annual European club football competition organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). It was first introduced in the 1955–56 season as the European Champion Clubs’ Cup, evolving into its current format in 1992 to become the continent’s most prestigious club tournament.
Oval Office
The Oval Office is the official workspace of the President of the United States, located in the West Wing of the White House. Its iconic oval shape was inspired by George Washington’s preference for a bow-ended room to facilitate equal conversation, with the first version constructed in 1909 during President William Howard Taft’s administration.
