Werder Bremen Cancels Minnesota Trip Amid ICE Unrest and Visa Concerns
German soccer club Werder Bremen has canceled a planned trip to Minnesota and Detroit in May, citing concerns over recent unrest following actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as well as stricter U.S. Entry requirements. The team was scheduled to play exhibition matches but ultimately decided against the trip due to a combination of sporting, economic, and political factors.
Recent ICE Actions Spark Protests
The decision follows a period of heightened tension in Minnesota stemming from ICE operations. Two U.S. Citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good, were fatally shot by ICE officers and U.S. Border Patrol agents last month during ‘Operation Metro Surge,’ triggering widespread protests across the state. The city has experienced frequent anti-ICE demonstrations in response to these shootings.
Club Cites Values and Player Access
Christoph Pieper, Werder Bremen’s head of communications, stated that playing in a city experiencing unrest and violence did not align with the club’s values. “Playing in a city where there’s unrest and people have been shot, that does not fit with our values here at Werder Bremen,” Pieper told Politico. The club similarly expressed uncertainty about whether all its players would be able to enter the United States due to increasingly stringent entry requirements.
Broader Concerns and Sporting Situation
A Werder Bremen spokesperson confirmed the cancellation, citing “sporting, economic and political reasons.” The club is currently facing a challenging season in the Bundesliga, battling to avoid relegation. As of Saturday, February 21, 2026, Werder Bremen is in 16th place in the Bundesliga, one point behind Wolfsburg. This difficult sporting situation, coupled with economic risks, contributed to the decision to cancel the U.S. Trip.
Operation Metro Surge Drawdown
The cancellation comes as President Donald Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, announced the winding down of Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis, citing increased cooperation from local police.