A crowded train into Stuttgart on a late March evening was full of conversation about one thing: Germany’s national team and the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico. At each stop more supporters climbed aboard in Germany shirts, voices rising with hope for the summer ahead.
Germany were playing Ghana in the final international break before preparations ramp up for the tournament. Among the travellers were friends Dennis and Kai, both wearing their kits and heading to the stadium to back the team in person. Dennis has been a regular at national-team matches since 2015; Kai only became a fixture more recently during Euro 2024 at home. For both, following the team is a ritual. “Wearing the eagle on your chest and singing the national anthem is something special,” Dennis said. “You always meet other fans, you travel to tournaments — it gives you goosebumps.”
They represent the core of supporter culture: the regulars who plan and save for years to get to matches. Both have already bought tickets for Germany’s group fixtures in 2026 and have detailed itineraries. For them, the political controversies surrounding the hosts have not erased enthusiasm. “Politics should stay out of sport,” Dennis said. “Sport is meant to build bridges and bring people together, but politics often exploits tournaments.”
Others are less comfortable. Former Germany coach Joachim Löw has advised caution about travelling to North America, pointing to calls for boycotts at past events and warning that competing in a country he described as “actively at war” carries risks. Löw’s comments referenced heightened geopolitical tensions tied to the US administration under President Donald Trump and the fallout from clashes with Iran, as well as criticism of some immigration and security policies.
Politicians and campaigners have also been outspoken. Green Party MP and human rights campaigner Boris Mijatovic told DW he is uneasy about FIFA’s arrangements with the Trump administration. He warned that the extensive collection of personal data — from email addresses and phones to online accounts — amounts to surveillance that infringes on civil liberties. “A state that snoops into your privacy in this way should not be rewarded with a visit,” he said.
Mijatovic also voiced concern about the optics of FIFA courting political favour, even suggesting awkward scenarios such as FIFA president Gianni Infantino handing a FIFA Peace Prize to Trump during the World Cup draw. He called the attempts to win political backing “grotesque,” criticised both political leaders and football officials, and said he misses firmer opposition to FIFA’s conduct. Amnesty International has likewise highlighted human-rights risks in the host countries, including the US.
Many German fans are sceptical about attending. Bengt Kunkel, a well-known figure among Germany supporters who helps create pre-match atmosphere, plans to watch the 2026 tournament on television rather than travel. He views the event as politicised and believes Trump is trying to appropriate the World Cup for political gain. Kunkel also cites concerns about restrictions on press freedom and freedom of expression, FIFA’s political gestures, and the high cost for travelling fans.
Cost is a significant factor. Kunkel and others estimate that attending just the group-stage matches could cost between €5,000 and €8,000 ($5,800–$9,280), once tickets, flights and accommodation are added up. He described the combination of price, security procedures and potential privacy checks as proof that “this isn’t a fan-friendly tournament.” Kunkel warned that tighter entry rules for the US — including scrutiny of social media for posts critical of political leaders — clash with the idea of welcoming the world to a global football festival.
Still, views among fans are split. Kunkel understands why some will still go and does not support a full boycott. “It has to be OK to support the national team, despite everything,” he said. “So let’s make the best of it and have a brilliant World Cup summer.”
Dennis and Kai acknowledge the drawbacks. “It’s not a fan-friendly World Cup,” Kai said, but both trust the US to provide security and expect a memorable tournament. “We want to become world champions; we’re due that fifth star,” Dennis said. “We have to be a team and act as a team, and if we fans stand behind the team, we can go a long way.”
For now, the debate continues: while some supporters plan entire summers around Germany’s fixtures, others will watch from home, uneasy about the politics, the costs and what they see as creeping controls that could change the fan experience forever.