Werder Bremen cancels US trip due to concerns about ICE actions in Minnesota

German soccer club Werder Bremen has canceled a trip to the United States due to concerns about unrest in Minnesota following the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and economic risks, a club spokesman told Reuters on Friday.

According to media reports in the US, the top team planned to visit Minnesota and Detroit in May and play two friendly matches. and Germany.

However, the Bundesliga club decided to cancel the visit amid growing concerns over the actions of ICE after two US citizens were shot dead by federal agents last month.

«It is true that we have canceled a planned trip to Minnesota in the United States. There were sporting, economic and political reasons for this,» a Werder Bremen spokesperson said.

«Playing in a city where there is unrest and people have been shot does not fit with our values. Moreover, it was unclear to us which players would even be able to come to the US due to the stricter entry requirements.»

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Bremen’s struggles in the Bundesliga – where it is battling to avoid relegation while languishing in 16th place, a spot in the relegation play-off – was also a factor in making the decision, the spokesman said.

«We are currently facing a very challenging sporting situation, which also makes planning such a trip difficult. There have also been certain economic risks,» he added.

Bremen, without a win in their last 12 Bundesliga matches, is 19 points ahead of Sunday’s visit to St. Pauli, who have 17 points from 22 games.

Published on February 20, 2026