Rudi Wöller defends DFB’s trip to the USA

The national team travels to the US in October for two international matches and faces headwinds – including the players. DFB sporting director Rudi Völler now again defends the DFB’s plans.

Wolfsburg – The national team will embark on a ten-day international tour of the USA in October – midway through the season. There, national coach Hansi Flick’s team will face the United States on October 14 in Hartford and Mexico on October 17 in Philadelphia. These plans are not understood by all officials and players. But what lies behind the journey?

The goal of the US trip: Greater international presence and awareness of German soccer

The 2026 World Cup will be held in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Against this background, the DFB entourage travels across the pond. “Given the upcoming World Cup, after the two home games against France and Japan, it’s important to show, communicate and connect with the fans on site,” explained DFF’s plans Rudi Wöller. For professional preparation, it is important to prepare well in advance for the following competitions.

But it’s about brand presence. The DFB hopes for greater awareness and presence of German football, the Bundesliga and its clubs. It is also important for top German players to present themselves internationally, Völler continued.

“It wasn’t a good choice”: Niklas Sule criticized the national team’s trip to the US

Niklas Sule, who returned to the team for the first time after Flick’s harsh criticism, is looking at the international tour critically, having been excluded from past internationals and, among other things, because of the best traveling effort: “It’s not good. Selection in my opinion,” Sule said. He was referring to his teammates at Borussia Dortmund who regularly have to travel long distances to international matches and then return with jet lag..

This journey has been very bad for the BVB players. On October 20, two days after returning from the US, BVB will face Werder Bremen in the opening round of the Bundesliga’s eighth match. Those in charge at Bundesliga clubs view the DFB trip critically.