A major controversy has erupted around the 2026 FIFA World Cup after Ivory Coast men’s national team manager Emerse Fae accused former Germany international midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger of making potentially racist comments about African football, in the wake of the Elephants’ historic first-ever qualification to the World Cup knockout stage.
Schweinsteiger, the 2014 World Cup winner with Germany, made the remarks while working as a pundit for German public broadcaster ARD ahead of Germany’s Group E clash against Ivory Coast on June 20. When asked to break down Ivorian playing style, the former Bayern Munich star described the side as playing “a bit African football”, adding it was “a bit unorthodox, a bit wild, a bit perhaps also not so conditioned by tactics” and warned Germany to prepare for their unpredictable approach.
Those comments drew sharp criticism from Fae after his side secured their spot in the round of 32 with a 2-0 victory over Curacao in Philadelphia on Thursday, which locked in second place in Group E behind Germany. Speaking to reporters after the historic result, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations-winning manager said he was deeply disappointed by Schweinsteiger’s words, arguing they reflected outdated, harmful stereotypes about African soccer.
“Schweinsteiger was a very good player; I have always loved him as a midfielder and the way he understood football,” Fae told journalists. “When I heard his comments, I was disappointed in the man. It is odd he would speak that way. We could call it racist, if we were calling a spade a spade. I don’t agree with him, but I have no other solution other than to work with things as they are. All I can show is that on the pitch African teams are not just physical, we are technical and tactical. I can only hope it is a clumsy statement, rather than something going on in his mind. If that’s what he thinks, he is free to do so.”
Fae also suggested the remarks may have been a deliberate attempt to stir controversy and grab headlines, rather than an offhand mistake. The comments have already sparked debate across German media, with high-profile football figure Jurgen Klopp, former Liverpool manager, declining to weigh in on the dispute when asked during a World Cup appearance in New York on Wednesday.
“Now you want to carry on the subject. No, no, I have no chance. I have no chance to answer this question,” Klopp told reporters. “Everybody likes it so you bring me in this situation. It’s not my job that everybody likes it, but this is a serious subject, and I don’t even know what is appropriate to say. For African people it’s one thing, for other people it’s another thing, and I’m not here.”
Despite falling 2-1 to Germany in their final group stage match, Ivory Coast secured their knockout place with earlier wins over Ecuador and Curacao. The Elephants will face either Group F winners France or runners-up Norway in their first knockout round match on June 30 in Arlington, Texas, as they chase further history at this expanded 48-team World Cup.