NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
German soccer team Werder Bremen has canceled its planned trip to Minnesota, citing unrest caused by recent actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to reports.
The Bundesliga club was scheduled to travel to Minnesota and Michigan in May to play exhibition matches, according to the BBC.
“Playing in a city where there is unrest and people have been shot, it does not correspond to our values here at Werder Bremen,” said Christoph Pieper, the club’s communications manager. told Politico. “Additionally, it was not clear to us which players would be able to enter the United States due to the stricter entry requirements.”
“As a club we have clear values,” Pieper reportedly added on Friday. “Our club defends an open, pluralistic and united society. We are committed to ensuring that all people, regardless of their origin, skin color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability, are naturally included and have a strong place in our community.”
HOMAN ANNOUNCES WITHDRAWAL OF FEDERAL PRESENCE IN MINNESOTA AND SALUTES THE “UNPRECEDENTED COOPERATION” OF LOCAL POLICE
Justin Njinmah of Werder Bremen controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between Werder Bremen and FC Bayern München on February 14, 2026 in Bremen, Germany. (Oliver Kaelke/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
A spokesperson for the club also told Reuters, “It is correct that we canceled a planned trip to Minnesota, in the United States,” and “there were sporting, economic and political reasons for that.”
President Donald Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, announced last week that the administration was ending Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis.
NEYMAR SAYS RETIRING IN 2026 IS “POSSIBLE” WITH WORLD CUP STATUS UNCERTAIN
Federal agents fire pepper balls at protesters outside an ICE facility during a protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 11, 2026. (Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The city has seen frequent anti-ICE protests surrounding the shootings of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent and Alex Pretti by the U.S. Border Patrol.
Werder Bremen, meanwhile, are trying to avoid relegation from the Bundesliga, the highest division in German football.
Werder Bremen supporters before a match, February 14, 2026. (Fabien Bimmer/Reuters)
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
On Saturday, the club sits in 16th place, one point behind Wolfsburg – and guaranteed security.
