Andreas Rettig: 'You can't separate sports and politics'
Key takeaways
- The World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico is sparking discussions beyond the realm of football.
- "The goal would be for us to ultimately rank among the top five nations in the world.
- The 63-year-old enjoys talking about the Germany team, but just as with the last World Cup in Qatar four years ago, this tournament is also being overshadowed by non-football topics.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
The World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico is sparking discussions beyond the realm of football. DFB Director Andreas Rettig discusses the Germany team and the geopolitical situation in an interview with DW.
https://p.dw.com/p/5Dnt EAndreas Retting is the man to answer the political questions directed towards the DFB this World Cup Image: picture alliance/dpa/Kessler-Sportfotografie Advertisement While not a fan of the bloated 48-team World Cup this summer, Andreas Rettig admits anticipation is high as Germany enter the decisive phase of their preparation. Following two consecutive World Cup campaigns that saw Germany fail to get out of their group, the Director of Football at the German Football Association (DFB) knows the goal in 2026 is clear.
"The goal would be for us to ultimately rank among the top five nations in the world. If we perform better than our current FIFA World Ranking [ninth], that would be a success," Rettig told DW.