Featured Image Credit: Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Germany, FIFA, Football
Ben McCrum
Topics: Donald Trump, Germany, FIFA, Football
Leon Goretzka has lashed out at Donald Trump ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States of America, Mexico and Canada.
The biggest competition in football is set to return in just five months as the 2026 World Cup kicks off across North America.
Ahead of the World Cup kicking off, concerns have been raised about the United States of America serving as the one of the co-hosts given the current political climate.
Just one month after US President Trump was awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, he has made a series of comments claiming that he will acquire Greenland, which is controlled by Denmark.
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The comments have led to calls from fans across the world for the US to be stripped of its spot as co-hosts, with several nations suggesting they could boycott the competition.
Germany is among the countries facing pressure to boycott the World Cup ,with Oke Gottlich, a DFB vice-president, saying it is time to consider it in the wake of Trump's actions.
And according to Goretzka, one of many top players hoping to make the Germany squad for the World Cup, the politics surrounding the tournament will no doubt have an impact on how it's viewed.
Speaking to German outlet Die Zeit, the Bayern Munich star said: “Of course, I’m aware of the political debates. I still expect it to be a great tournament – it will promote football there, and show many people want an incredibly exciting game.
"Donald Trump makes us feel not only German but also European.”
Goretzka's comments come after Trump hit out at Europe in December, claiming that the immigration policy across the continent will mean that "many of those countries will not be viable countries any longer".
However, when it comes to actions on the pitch, Goretzka is convinced that Europe will show the rest of the world where the power within football really lies.
"In the most important game in the world, we are still ahead of all other continents,” he said.
“Far from being left behind, Europe will show everyone what it’s made of on the pitch.”
Although Goretzka didn't adress the increasing pressure for Germany to boycott the World Cup unless Trump's actions drastically change, the debate was addressed by the German Football Association (DFB) on Monday.
Speaking at a German Football League (DFL) meeting, DFB President Bernd Neuendorf played down the idea, sying: "I don't think this is a big debate at all, because I believe we at the DFB are very unanimous in our view that this debate is completely misguided at this point in time."
DFL President Hans-Joachim Watzke, echoed this belied, adding: "When the time is right, we will discuss it, but from my point of view, it is completely out of place right now."