Germany's sporting director Rudi Voeller has urged members of the national team to refrain from making political statements during the upcoming 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Speaking from the team's pre-World Cup camp in Herzogenaurach, northern Bavaria, Voeller clarified that players are not under a gag order but encouraged them to keep sport and politics "somewhat separate" while at the finals.
No Media Training This Time
Unlike the lead-up to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Voeller confirmed there would be no specialist media training for the squad. "If someone wishes to do so, they are welcome to do it in the run-up to the tournament," he said regarding political statements. "However, if it hasn't happened until this point, it generally shouldn't start happening now."
Lessons from Qatar
Voeller hoped Germany had learned from their experience in Qatar, where the build-up was dominated by discussions about a ban on political symbols. In Qatar, German players covered their mouths in their pre-match photo before their tournament opener against Japan, a gesture some commentators suggested contributed to their poor performance. "Every player is fully aware of the situation; after all, a significant number of the current squad members were also part of the team that went to Qatar," Voeller said. "Naturally, we won't see a repeat of what happened previously — namely, launching various campaigns or conducting interviews and reporting critically on certain issues immediately before a match."
Political Statements Have Little Impact
The former Germany striker, who won the World Cup in 1990, argued that athletes making political stands often have little impact, citing the 1980 Moscow Olympics boycott by the United States and other nations. "We are here to play in a World Cup. That takes precedence; we are footballers, and our goal is to inspire the people... and perhaps offer them a distraction from their everyday worries," said Voeller. "We would be well advised to simply look forward to the World Cup now. Despite all the unpleasant circumstances that may surround it, we should nonetheless strive to play good, attractive football and inspire the fans." He added, "Even back then, during the 1980s Olympics, when the Americans, along with all the Western nations, decided not to attend the Games, I felt that was the wrong decision even at the time."
Upcoming Friendly and Neuer's Return
Germany will face Finland in Mainz on Sunday in their final pre-tournament friendly on home soil. Coach Julian Nagelsmann confirmed that injured veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer would not be back in time to play this weekend but would feature at the World Cup.
