Ivory Coast Manager Emerse Fae Calls Schweinsteiger’s Remarks Racist After Historic World Cup Qualification

Ivory Coast head coach Emerse Fae has strongly criticised former Germany international Bastian Schweinsteiger for remarks he made about the Ivorians’ style of play, describing them as potentially racist.

How the Ivory Coast Secured Their First World Cup Knockout Spot

The accusation came shortly after Ivory Coast sealed a place in the 2026 World Cup knockout stage for the first time in the nation’s history. A 2‑0 victory over Curaçao in Philadelphia on Thursday secured second place in Group E, despite an earlier loss to Germany.

Schweinsteiger’s Comments on ARD

Before Germany’s 2‑1 win over Ivory Coast on 20 June, Schweinsteiger told German broadcaster ARD that the Ivorians played “a bit African football” and were “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’s Reaction: Disappointment and Accusation of Racism

Speaking after the qualification match, Fae said:

“I think it’s sad. Schweinsteiger was a very good player; I have always loved him as a midfielder and the way he understood football. When I heard his comments, I was disappointed in the man.
It is odd he would speak that way. We could call it racist, if we were calling a spade a spade.
I don’t agree with him, but I have no other solution other than to work with things as they are. All I can show is that on the pitch African teams are not just physical, we are technical and tactical.”

Fae added that he hopes Schweinsteiger’s statement was merely clumsy rather than reflective of a deeper bias, and suggested the former midfielder might have been trying to provoke debate.

Reaction in German Football Circles

The remarks have already stirred discussion in Germany. Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, when asked about the controversy during the tournament in New York, declined to comment, saying the issue is serious but not his responsibility to address.

What Lies Ahead for Ivory Coast

Having progressed through victories over Ecuador and Curaçao, Ivory Coast will face either France or Norway in Arlington, Texas, on 30 June. The team aims to demonstrate that African sides can combine physicality with technical and tactical sophistication, countering the stereotypes highlighted by Schweinsteiger’s comments.