Ivory Coast coach calls Schweinsteigers African football remarks racist
Bastian Schweinsteiger, the 41-year-old former German midfielder and now ARD football pundit, has faced sharp criticism from Ivory Coast national team head coach Emerse Faé after describing African football as “a bit unorthodox, sometimes a bit wild.” Faé, speaking on Friday, 26 June 2026, said Schweinsteiger’s remarks could be interpreted as racist and expressed disappointment at the tone of the comments, which were made during the ongoing FIFA World Cup in the United States .
Faé told reporters in Houston that Schweinsteiger’s choice of words had hurt the feelings of African players and staff, adding, “We could call it racist.” The Ivory Coast coach, who led his team to a 1-0 victory over Argentina in their opening match on 15 June 2026, said he was “saddened” by the implication that African football lacks structure or discipline .
Schweinsteiger made the comments during a live broadcast on 25 June 2026, while analysing Ivory Coast’s 2-1 defeat to Brazil. He remarked that African teams often play with “a lot of passion and unpredictability,” which he characterised as “unorthodox” and “wild.” The remarks were widely circulated on social media and drew immediate backlash, prompting Faé’s public response .
The controversy comes as the World Cup reaches its group-stage climax, with Faé’s side sitting top of Group C after two matches. The Ivory Coast Football Federation has yet to issue an official statement, but Faé’s remarks suggest the federation shares his concerns. Meanwhile, Schweinsteiger has not publicly addressed the criticism, though his employer, ARD, has not indicated any disciplinary action .
Analysts note that Schweinsteiger’s comments reflect a broader debate about cultural stereotypes in football commentary. While some pundits defend his right to describe styles of play, others argue that such language risks reinforcing outdated tropes about African football. Faé’s intervention underscores the sensitivity of the issue as the tournament progresses in front of global audiences .
Follow us for live European news
- 3
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
1 further source not geolocated
Articles
Coupe du monde 2026 : le Néo-Zélandais Sarpreet Singh, coqueluche par procuration des supporteurs indiens Le numéro 10 des All Whites, passé brièvement par le Bayern de Munich, est le premier joueur sikh à participer à la compétition. Dans son pays dorigine, lInde, on le regarde avec attention, faute de pouvoir supporter léquipe nationale, toujours absente du tournoi.
liberation · about 3 hours ago
Romanivaikuttaja hakkasi väärän miehen – Tästä alkoi maailmanmestarin pelottava piina
iltalehti · about 3 hours ago
Ivory Coast coach Fae saddened by Schweinsteigers African football jab Former German players comments that African football is a bit unorthodox sometimes, a bit wild sparked controversy.
aljazeera · about 3 hours ago
»Und was machst du am Wochenende?« / Walter Schels: »Ein Schimpanse hat mich umarmt und geküsst« Im Wochenendpodcast erzählt der Fotograf Walter Schels von Angela Merkels Händedruck und berichtet, dass er auch mit 90 Jahren auf den Hometrainer geht.
die zeit · about 3 hours ago
Fußball-WM: Faé zu Schweinsteiger: „Könnten es rassistisch nennen Bastian Schweinsteiger polarisiert mit einer Aussage über den Spielstil der Elfenbeinküste. Deren WM-Trainer Emerse Faé kritisiert den früheren Fußballer scharf und zeigt sich enttäuscht.
tagesspiegel · about 3 hours ago
Rasismeanklager mot tysk VM-ekspert: – Trist Landslagssjefen til Elfenbenskysten anklaget den tyske fotballpensjonisten Bastian Schweinsteiger (41) for rasisme etter…
aftenposten · about 4 hours ago
Tästä sai alkunsa maailmanmestarin piina: Sytytti kunnolla Vartin vihan
iltalehti · about 5 hours ago
Fußball-WM: „Pride Match: So reagiert Ägyptens Trainer Dass Ägypten und Iran das von den lokalen Organisatoren als „Pride Match ausgerufene Spiel in Seattle bestreiten, hat Wirbel ausgelöst. Vor der Partie wird Ägyptens Coach darauf angesprochen.
tagesspiegel · about 5 hours ago
2. Bundesliga: Trainingsauftakt beim St. Pauli: Trainer Rapp legt los
die zeit · about 5 hours ago
„Wir könnten es rassistisch nennen – Trainer übt scharfe Kritik an Schweinsteiger Sein Kommentar über den Spielstil der Elfenbeinküste bringt ARD-Experte Bastian Schweinsteiger heftige Kritik ein. Außerdem: Ägyptens Trainer äußert sich zum „Pride Match. Alle News im WM-Ticker.
welt.de · about 5 hours ago
We could call it racist - Ivory Coast boss sad at Schweinsteiger comments Ivory Coast boss Emerse Fae says comments from ex-Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger about their "wild" playing style could be considered racist.
bbc sport · about 6 hours ago