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German soccer team Werder Bremen canceled its planned trip to Minnesota, citing unrest caused by recent actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) there, according to reports.
The Bundesliga club was expected to visit Minnesota and Michigan in May to play exhibition matches, according to the BBC.
“Playing in a city where there are riots and people have been shot does not fit with our values here at Werder Bremen,” said Christoph Pieper, the club’s head of communications. he told Politico. “In addition, we were unclear which players would be able to enter the United States due to stricter entry requirements.”
“We, as a club, have clear values,” Pieper added on Friday. “Our club represents 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 firm place in our community.”
HOMAN ANNOUNCES REDUCTION OF FEDERAL PRESENCE IN MINNESOTA AND THANKS 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 club spokesperson also told Reuters, “It is true that we canceled a planned trip to Minnesota in the United States” and “There were sporting, economic and political reasons for this.”
President Donald Trump’s border czar Tom Homan announced last week that the administration is ending Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis.
NEYMAR SAYS RETIREMENT IN 2026 ‘POSIBLE’ WITH WORLD CUP STATUS UNCERTAIN
Federal agents fire pepper balls at protesters outside an ICE facility during a demonstration against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 11, 2026. (Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The city has seen frequent anti-ICE demonstrations surrounding the shootings of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent and Alex Pretti by the US Border Patrol.
Meanwhile, Werder Bremen has been trying to avoid relegation from the Bundesliga, the top flight of German soccer.
Werder Bremen fans appear before a match on February 14, 2026. (Fabian Bimmer/Reuters)
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As of Saturday, the club is in 16th place, one point behind Wolfsburg, and safely guaranteed.
