Can the World Cup reunite Germany in the face of geopolitical uncertainty?

The German national football team has kicked off their first game in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with an overwhelming win against Curacao, scoring 7:1 against the island team. Can the football euphoria beat the geopolitical worries, though? 

Excitement and enthusiasm in Germany

If there is something that gets the German heart beating, it is football. With four World Cup wins and three European Championship wins, Germany's national football team is among the best in the world. Almost nothing acts as a unifying force in a country as divided as Germany as international football competitions do.

The significance of moments, such as the first match as a united German team, combining West and East in 1990, or more recently, the team's shocking success at the 2024 European Championships with Captain İlkay Gündoğan, should not be underestimated. The last international competition brought Germany iconic shared moments, such as the collective celebration of André Schnura, the saxophonist who brought joy and music to fan events.

Now, fans are gearing up again to come together with friends, family, colleagues and even strangers to share a bit of enthusiasm and euphoria in uncertain political times. Whether it is watch parties at home, attending one of many public viewings, or even flying all the way to North America to see the games live, Germany's residents are ready to experience the high of football. Maybe there is even another title in the cards? People are hopeful to see a fifth star on the German jerseys soon.

Is enthusiasm enough to ease the worries?

While some are happy to leave their concerns behind for a few weeks and get their head in the game, many leave their excitement on the bench. For some, it’s the increasing commercialisation of football that pushes the World Cup to the sidelines.

“I used to be very enthusiastic, but these days my enthusiasm is waning. This kind of thing has less and less to do with sport because of the increasing commercialisation,” says a merchant from Chemnitz to the Tagesschau.

Harald Lange, researcher at the University of Würzburg, agrees. One factor in decreasing participation is fans recognising exploitation. “And then a dark, geopolitical cloud hangs over the World Cup,” he explains.

With referees, teams, staff, and fans being stopped from travelling to the United States, and participating nations at war with one another, many find it hard to focus on what's on the pitch, rather than who’s in the VIP lounge. With about 67 percent of the population not caring at all, or only very little, it will be up to the national team to spark the joy of football in Germany again.