The German government says it is open to the Chancellor visiting the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. Deputy government spokesman Sebastian Hille told the dts news agency on Monday that the Chancellor’s travel dates will be announced on the Friday of the week before the event; “If I’m remembering correctly, it’s still a bit of a ways off until the World Cup” he added.
On the fatal shootings of US federal police officers in Minneapolis, Hille said the German government trusts the US justice system to investigate. He also noted that Germany has no independent information on the case and therefore will not comment further.
Regarding a potential general boycott of the World Cup, Hille made it clear that it is not the German government’s role to decide whether the national team participates in competitions.
The knockout phase of the 23rd FIFA World Cup will run from 11 June to 19 July in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Germany will play all three of its group‑stage matches in cities in the United States.