German Soccer Club Werder Bremen Cancels May 2026 U.S. Tour Due to Minnesota Unrest

Werder Bremen's U.S. tour in May 2026 is cancelled. This is due to concerns about events in Minnesota and other issues.
By Newsroom | Sports, International Relations |

A German soccer team, Werder Bremen, has called off a planned tour of the United States in May. The club cited concerns about "unrest" in Minnesota following actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as well as economic and political reasons. The decision was made public on Friday, February 20, 2026.

Background of the Decision

Werder Bremen, a top-tier German soccer club, had intended to play two friendly matches in Minnesota and Detroit. This trip was meant to occur in May 2026. However, the club spokesperson confirmed the cancellation, stating that the decision was based on "sporting, economic and political reasons." Reports suggest that specific events in Minnesota related to ICE activities were a key factor.

German Soccer Club Cancels Minnesota US Trip Over ICE Violence and Strict Player Entry Rules - 1

Core information extracted from the provided reports indicates that Werder Bremen's decision to cancel their US tour was primarily driven by concerns stemming from ICE actions in Minnesota, alongside other sporting and economic considerations.

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Stated Reasons for Cancellation

A spokesperson for Werder Bremen provided multiple reasons for canceling the planned trip to the United States.

German Soccer Club Cancels Minnesota US Trip Over ICE Violence and Strict Player Entry Rules - 2

  • Unrest in Minnesota: The club expressed concern over unrest following actions taken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minnesota.

  • Deaths in Minnesota: Some reports specifically mention that the club was concerned about "unrest" and that "people have been shot," implying a connection to events where two individuals, identified as Alex Pretti and Renee Good, died following ICE actions. One spokesman stated, "Playing in a city where there is unrest and people have been shot does not fit with our values."

  • Economic Risks: The club also cited "certain economic risks" as a factor in their decision.

  • Tightened Entry Rules: Concerns were raised about the difficulty in knowing "with which players you can still enter the USA due to the tightened entry conditions," which reportedly involve reviewing social media profiles.

  • Sporting Factors: The club's current performance in the Bundesliga, where they are in a relegation battle and have not won in their last 12 matches, was also mentioned as a contributing factor.

  • Political Climate: The actions of the Trump administration's "crackdown" were described as a reason for abandoning the plans.

"It is correct that we cancelled a planned trip to Minnesota in the United States. There were sporting, economic and political reasons for this," a Werder Bremen spokesperson said.

Club Values and Political Stance

Werder Bremen is described as one of the more left-wing clubs in German football. Their club culture is noted for leaning left, with associations like the Ostkurve at Weserstadion long linking themselves with anti-racist, anti-sexist, and anti-homophobic values. The decision to cancel the tour has been seen by some as aligning with these stated values, with one report stating the tour "does not fit the values" of the club.

The club's self-described left-leaning values and opposition to discrimination appear to be a significant lens through which the decision regarding the US tour, specifically in light of ICE actions in Minnesota, was made.

German Soccer Club Cancels Minnesota US Trip Over ICE Violence and Strict Player Entry Rules - 3

Broader Context

The cancellation comes amidst a period where ICE operations in Minnesota have reportedly led to significant attention and events. Multiple news outlets have linked the club's decision directly to these ICE activities.

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  • Operation Metro Surge: This operation, involving ICE agents in Minnesota, was reportedly winding down but was followed by further actions.

  • Increased Authority: Reports indicated ICE had been given more authority to detain refugees who do not change their immigration status within a year of arriving in the U.S., drawing criticism from pro-immigrant groups.

The timing of Werder Bremen's decision correlates with reported increased authority and actions by ICE in Minnesota, which have generated public discussion and protests.

German Soccer Club Cancels Minnesota US Trip Over ICE Violence and Strict Player Entry Rules - 4

Expert Analysis and Reaction

While no direct expert analysis of the club's decision-making process is provided in the reports, the statements from the club's spokesperson serve as the primary explanation. The context of Werder Bremen's known political leanings and the timing of ICE actions in Minnesota suggest a confluence of factors influencing the club's decision.

Conclusion

Werder Bremen has definitively canceled its planned May tour of the United States. The primary articulated reasons revolve around concerns over events in Minnesota involving ICE, which the club stated do not align with its values and have contributed to unrest and other negative outcomes. These concerns, coupled with economic considerations and the club's current sporting situation, led to the abandonment of the trip.

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The club's decision is a clear statement that perceived issues surrounding ICE operations in Minnesota, coupled with broader economic and sporting factors, rendered the US tour incompatible with their principles and risk assessment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the German soccer team Werder Bremen cancel their U.S. tour planned for May 2026?
Werder Bremen cancelled their tour because they were worried about unrest in Minnesota linked to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions. They also cited economic and political reasons.
Q: What specific events in Minnesota caused Werder Bremen to cancel their tour?
The club was concerned about unrest and reports of people being shot following ICE actions in Minnesota. They stated that playing in such a place did not fit their club's values.
Q: Were there other reasons besides Minnesota for the cancellation?
Yes, Werder Bremen also mentioned economic risks and worries about new, stricter rules for entering the USA. Their current poor performance in the German league and the political climate in the U.S. also played a part.
Q: What are Werder Bremen's club values that influenced this decision?
Werder Bremen is known as a left-leaning club that stands against racism, sexism, and homophobia. The club felt that the situation in Minnesota, due to ICE actions, did not align with these core values.
Q: What happens next for Werder Bremen and their fans regarding the U.S. tour?
The tour is cancelled, meaning the planned friendly matches in Minnesota and Detroit will not happen. Fans who expected to see the team in the U.S. will not be able to.