Ivory Coast head coach Emerse Fae has criticised former Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger over comments describing African football as “wild” and lacking tactical discipline, saying the remarks reflected harmful stereotypes and could be viewed as racist.
Fae spoke after Ivory Coast secured a place in the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time in the nation’s history with a 2-0 victory over Curacao in Philadelphia. While celebrating the achievement, the coach said he was disappointed that someone of Schweinsteiger’s football knowledge would make such comments.
The controversy stems from Schweinsteiger’s analysis on German broadcaster ARD before Germany’s 2-1 group-stage victory over Ivory Coast on June 20. Assessing the challenge facing Germany, the former Bayern Munich and Manchester United midfielder described the Ivorians’ style as “A bit African football, a bit unorthodox, a bit wild, a bit perhaps also not so conditioned by tactics. We must be prepared for it to be unpredictable.”
Fae rejected that characterisation, arguing that African teams continue to face outdated assumptions about relying solely on physical attributes. He said Ivory Coast’s performances should demonstrate that African football combines technical ability, tactical organisation and athleticism at the highest level. He also suggested Schweinsteiger’s remarks may have been an attempt to generate attention, while expressing hope that they were simply poorly worded rather than reflecting his genuine beliefs.
The debate has spread across German football, with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp declining to comment when questioned during the World Cup. Klopp described the issue as sensitive and said he was not the right person to judge how the remarks would be received by different audiences.
Following the backlash, Schweinsteiger defended his comments, saying they were intended purely as a football analysis of Ivory Coast’s playing style and not as a reflection on the players or African people. He said he had no intention of offending anyone, while German broadcaster ARD also backed his assessment as a sporting opinion rather than a racist statement.
Despite defeat to Germany earlier in the tournament, Ivory Coast advanced from Group E after victories over Ecuador and Curacao. Fae’s side will now face either France or Norway in the Round of 32 on June 30 in Arlington, Texas, as they continue their historic World Cup campaign.
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