Werder Bremen cancel USA trip over ICE shootings in Minnesota

Martin Macdonald

• 21 Feb 2026 08:01 CST
• 3 min read

Nieuws

Werder Bremen have cancelled plans to play friendlies in Minnesota and Detroit in May due to the unrest in the former due to two recent shootings.

At the moment, there is political and social tension in the United States that has catalysed violence on the streets. US President Donald Trump has deployed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents throughout the country, leading to deadly clashes.

In January, two American citizens were shot and killed by ICE agents - Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The shootings led to protests in the state and across the country.

"Playing in a city where there is unrest and people have been shot does not fit with our values," a Bremen spokesperson told the BBC.

"Furthermore, it was unclear to us which players would be able to enter the USA at all due to the stricter entry requirements."

Ultimately, the spokesperson said the cancellation was due to "sporting, economic and political reasons".

Trump's immigration policies mean it is a lot harder for some nationalities to enter America, and outright impossible for some.

MLS concerns

Both illegal and legal immigrants have been targeted for searches by ICE, and that is causing footballers to consider leaving Major League Soccer, while it may be the case that some players think twice about moving to the competition.

The spotlight is on Minnesota here as not only did the recent shootings take place there, but they have one of the most ethnically diverse teams in MLS, with players from the US, Argentina, Italy, Australia, Panama, Senegal, Colombia, Costa Rica, Germany, Paraguay and more.

One of their current foreign stars is Joaquin Pereyra, who moved to Minnesota from Atletico Tucuman in 2024.

"People are scared. We are, too,” Pereyra told the Pioneer Press on Wednesday.

“Fewer and fewer people want to be out on the streets because of what might happen to them."

Upon moving to Minnesota, he went through the correct channels to eventually obtain his green card, making him an American citizen.

“Whether I’m walking around the neighbourhood, at the supermarket, anywhere. Obviously, that doesn’t guarantee me anything because we’ve seen on the news that people who have had their Green Card and passport in their car, or whatever, are still taken away or treated badly," he added.

Minnesota United have apparently held a meeting with their foreign players to tell them exactly what to do if they are confronted by ICE agents. The 25-year-old says the fear he and his colleagues live in is the opposite of what they dreamed of when they left their countries to come to the USA.

“In South America, I can tell you from experience, life is sometimes very difficult. There is a lot of poverty,” he confessed.

“And for those of us from Latin America, coming here is a huge step up in terms of quality of life. So, the fact that they want to do what they’re doing, and in the way they’re doing it, is something I obviously don’t agree with at all.

“All I hope is that, as I said, this will finally end. The mistreatment of people cannot exist anywhere in the world. I understand that it’s a position of authority that they take advantage of, but I think it’s a lack of respect for all people. Even the people of Minnesota, who were born here and are also having a hard time because I see that many people who are from here are protesting for the same reasons.

"Let’s hope this calms down for the good of everyone.”

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