Sports

Annalena Baerbock is a football fan and is often found cheering on Germany's national teams at major tournaments. Last year, she was on the edge of her seat rooting for the country's women's team at the Euros in Switzerland. And now, her fingers are crossed for the men's team at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. She's right in the thick of it because since 2025, Baerbock has been president of the United Nations General Assembly, which is based in New York. Baerbock attended an award ceremony at the recently opened German House of Soccer, where former Bayern Munich forward Thomas Müller and goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger were awarded prizes. Müller, the most successful German player ever, currently plys his trade for the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS and received ...

"I'm a multicultural kid with three different nationalities: Germany, Algeria, and Vietnam," said Ibrahim Maza earlier this year. By then, it had dawned on Julian Nagelsmann — along with 80 million armchair coaches across Germany — that a player like Maza could be a useful asset for the men's national football team. However, by then it was too late. Maza was already cap-tied with Algeria, the country his father left as a young man to make a new life in Germany. Roots in Algeria, Vietnam, and Berlin Maza's father, Sofiane, who hails from Algiers, went on to meet his Vietnamese wife in Germany. Their son, Ibrahim, was born in Berlin in 2005. His father introduced Ibrahim to his homeland through stories and regular visits back home. "I went there often with my father," Ibrahim Maza told ...

It's hard to believe the 2026 World Cup will be Jonathan Tah's first. The 30-year-old is coming off the best season of his career and has a vast amount of experience with over 300 Bundesliga appearances. His path to the top though, has been far from straightforward, and that journey is one he appreciates today. "A World Cup is something special and I'm so excited to be at the first," Tah said in the days ahead of Germany's opener. "I felt how big this tournament is and I'm very grateful to be here. It means a lot. I spoke to my family and friends, and they have noticed that special atmosphere is missing somewhat so I hope German fans bring out their flags soon, and we can of course help with that by playing well." Tah has certainly been doing that. He is one of the most reliable defender...

It's difficult to overstate the impact of the Williams sisters on tennis. Now in their forties, both are back playing at the top level, after Serena (44) joined 46-year-old Venus in appearances at the Queens tournament in London and the Berlin Open over the last week. The pair have also been offered a wilcard doubles entry for Wimbledon a decade after they won the last of their six doubles titles at that particular Grand Slam. They have also won two US Open doubles titles, two in the French Open and four in the Australian Open. Between them they also have 30 Grand Slam singles titles, Serena has 23 of those. But her motivation for this comeback after four years out came a little closer to home.  "My daughter Olympia told me I should play with Venus. She's always right, so I was like 'dam...

"I too would have been interested in it had it not worked out [for me]," Joshua Kimmich said. "It's interesting to learn new things in a different culture and country. They all have a scholarship, which is a cool thing. I had the feeling they were happy with the path they had taken. I think it's a really interesting option." The words of the Germany captain were in reference to three young German footballers playing just five minutes from the fields of Wake Forest University where the likes of Manuel Neuer, Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala are training to realize Germany's World Cup ambitions. Linus Musielak (22), Noah Vasilev and Flynn Meves (both 23) changed their summer plans for the chance to be closer to their football heroes. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity," Vasilev told D...

From obscure, veteran goalkeeper to global fame and an extra 6 million social media followers in 90 minutes, Vozinha's story is the sort that has made the World Cup so special across the globe. The Cape Verde stopper excelled as his side drew 0-0 with European champions Spain on Monday. But the tears he shed after the game were not only joyful. "I cried because I grew up with my grandparents and unfortunately they were not here; they died a few years ago," he told reporters. "They were everything for me, for my life. I also cried because my mum didn't manage to be here because of the visa. Because of the money we had to pay for the visa, we didn't manage to [complete it] on time. I would like her to be here, but I'm also very happy." Visa issues have been a running theme of the World C...