Trump makes us feel more European in the run-up to the World Cup: the German Goretzka

German midfielder Leon Goretzka says US President Donald Trump “has managed to make us feel not only German, but also European.”

Goretzka, who plays for Bayern Munich, in an interview with The time The paper published on Wednesday talked about the World Cup being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, and suggested that Germany and other European teams will be the favorites.

“Others have caught up, but in the most important competition in the world we are still ahead on every continent,” Goretzka said. “Europe will not lag behind, but will show everyone what can be done on the field.”

The countdown to the June 11-July 19 tournament has led to calls for a boycott. Oke Gottlich, the president of Bundesliga club St. Pauli and one of the German federation’s 10 vice-presidents, said last week that the time had come to «seriously consider and discuss this.»

READ ALSO | Mourinho’s magic keeps Benfica in the Champions League race and pushes Real Madrid into the play-offs

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter also weighed in on Monday.

“I am aware of the political debates,” Goretzka said. «Still, I expect it to be a great tournament. It will help football there and convince many people that it is a fantastic match.»

Germany is placed in World Cup group E with Ivory Coast, Curaçao and Ecuador.

Published on January 29, 2026