Kimmich's Germany Faces Most Controversial World Cup
Joshua Kimmich leads Germany through the controversial 2026 World Cup amid growing boycott calls from across the political spectrum. Inside their tournament journey.
By Elke Porter | WBN News World Sports | January 20, 2026
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Germany's World Cup journey will begin on June 14, 2026, in Houston, where they will face Curaçao, the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup. The match at NRG Stadium will kick off at 1 p.m. ET, setting the stage for what many expect to be a routine victory for Julian Nagelsmann's side.
Six days later, on June 20, 2026, Die Mannschaft will travel north to Toronto, Ontario, to face African champions Ivory Coast at 4 p.m. ET—a far more challenging prospect that will test the team's resolve and tactical flexibility. The group stage will conclude on June 25 in the New York/New Jersey area (at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey), where Germany will meet Ecuador, the South American team that finished second in CONMEBOL qualifying, in a 4 p.m. ET kickoff.
Should Germany advance as Group E winners, they will face a third-place finisher from Groups A, B, C, D, or F in the Round of 32. If they finish as runners-up, they'll meet Group I's second-place team. The path to the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will remain challenging, with football legend Lothar Matthäus predicting Germany will reach the semifinals before falling to Spain.
The Boycott Calls That are Shaking the Tournament
While Germany focuses on football, the tournament itself is becoming embroiled in political turmoil. Calls for boycotts are emerging from multiple directions across the political spectrum, creating one of the most controversial World Cups in recent memory.
From the progressive left, grassroots movements are gaining momentum in response to the Trump administration's policies. The website BoycottUSA2026.org, created by an informal group of international supporters based in New York, cites violations of civil liberties, immigration enforcement actions, and concerns about fan safety under the current U.S. political climate.
Political activist Ajamu Baraka, the 2016 U.S. Green Party vice-presidential candidate, has emerged as a prominent voice calling attention to potential human rights violations. Progressive organizations are mobilizing through Action Network, gathering over 3,240 signatures urging FIFA to ban the United States from hosting international sporting events. These left-wing critics draw parallels between sporting values and what they characterize as a history of violence and abuse under President Trump's policies.
Simultaneously, boycott calls are emerging from more centrist and conservative European political figures, though for entirely different reasons. German politician Jürgen Hardt of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU)—a centre-right party and confidant of the Chancellor—has become the first top politician to publicly suggest Germany might withdraw from the tournament. His concerns centre on President Trump's threats to impose tariffs and acquire Greenland, which Hardt views as a matter requiring potential diplomatic response through boycott as a "last resort."
British Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum also are weighing in. Conservative former minister Simon Hoare and Liberal Democrat Luke Taylor both have called for England and Scotland to boycott the tournament in response to Trump's Greenland ambitions. Even Labour MP Kate Osborne, chair of the Women's Football All Party Parliamentary Group, has joined the chorus, arguing that America "should not be able to participate in the World Cup, let alone be part of hosting it.
"The controversy is intensifying as nearly 17,000 fans reportedly have cancelled their World Cup tickets amid safety concerns, outrage over the U.S. military raid in Venezuela targeting President Nicolás Maduro, and general unease about the American political climate. Lebanese diplomat Mohamad Safa has publicly announced his ticket cancellation, expressing fear that ICE agents might consider him dangerous due to his background.
Critics of the boycott movement note the selective nature of FIFA's neutrality, pointing out that while the organization claims it can't intervene in geopolitical issues, it had swiftly sanctioned Russia for its military intervention in Ukraine in 2022.
The Man Wearing the Armband
At the centre of Germany's World Cup campaign stands Joshua Kimmich, a 29-year-old from Rottweil who embodies the resilience and versatility demanded of modern football leadership. Appointed captain in September 2024 following Ilkay Gündogan's international retirement, Kimmich inherited the armband with a clear mandate from coach Julian Nagelsmann, who called him the "logical successor."
Kimmich's journey to the captaincy reads like a redemption story. At 18, he wasn't even certain he could compete in Germany's third tier. A pelvic problem threatened his career while at VfB Stuttgart's academy. But his 2013 move to RB Leipzig proved transformative, allowing his body to adjust to adult football before Bayern Munich recognized his potential in 2015.
His international credentials are impeccable. Kimmich earned his 100th cap for Germany in June 2025 against Portugal in the UEFA Nations League, becoming just the 14th player to reach that milestone and the first in that exclusive group without a World Cup title—a fact that undoubtedly drives him as he leads Germany in 2026. He surpassed Franz Beckenbauer's 103 appearances, positioning himself fifth on Germany's all-time list behind Manuel Neuer (124) and Thomas Müller (131).
Kimmich's versatility sets him apart. Compared to former Bayern captain Philipp Lahm, he has excelled as a right-back, defensive midfielder, centre-back, and central midfielder. Known for his aggressive play, precise passing, and tactical intelligence, he averaged over 90% pass completion rates during Bayern's treble-winning 2019-20 campaign. Jose Mourinho once remarked he could see Kimmich excelling in virtually every position on the pitch.
The captain has proven his leadership credentials through adversity. He played every single minute of Bayern's 34 Bundesliga matches in 2018-19, demonstrating the stamina and consistency that define his game. With Bayern, he has secured nine Bundesliga titles, three DFB-Pokals, and the 2020 UEFA Champions League. His trophy cabinet includes 20 major honors, including the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup with Germany.
This World Cup marks Kimmich's third major tournament as captain, following his role as one of three captains at Euro 2024, where Germany reached the quarterfinals before a heartbreaking extra-time defeat to Spain. It's also his third World Cup appearance overall, having endured the disappointment of Germany's group stage exits in 2018 and 2022—experiences he called among the worst days of his career.
Tournament Preparations and Future Plans
In preparation for the World Cup, Germany scheduled three crucial fixtures. They hosted Ivory Coast in Stuttgart on March 30, faced Finland in Mainz on May 31, and met co-hosts USA in Chicago on June 6—just days before the tournament's official kickoff.
Kimmich's leadership council includes vice-captains Antonio Rüdiger and Kai Havertz, along with new starting goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, Niclas Füllkrug, Pascal Groß, and Jonathan Tah. Together, they represent a new generation stepping into the void left by the retirements of Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller, Toni Kroos, and Gündogan after Euro 2024.
As for Kimmich's post-World Cup plans, the captain recently signed a contract extension with Bayern Munich through 2029, potentially marking the end of his playing career at the club where he has spent a decade. Whether this World Cup brings the ultimate prize remains to be seen, but Kimmich has positioned himself as the face of German football for years to come—a leader forged through adversity, versatile enough to excel anywhere on the pitch, and driven by the burning desire to lift the trophy that has so far eluded him.
In a tournament overshadowed by political controversy and boycott threats from all corners of the political landscape, Kimmich and Germany carry the hopes of a nation seeking to reclaim its place atop world football. Their journey through Group E and beyond will be watched not just by football purists, but by a world grappling with the intersection of sport, politics, and power in an increasingly fractured global landscape.
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