Klopp clashes with Schweinsteiger over negative African football comment

Former Liverpool manager, Jürgen Klopp, has expressed his displeasure over an unsavory remark about African football by ex-German international, Bastian Schweinsteiger, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ahead of Germany’s game against Ivory Coast, which the four-time world champions eventually won, Schweinsteiger, speaking on German broadcaster ARD, criticised the style of play of African teams.

He claimed that Ivory Coast played “African football,” which he described as “a bit wild, a bit unorthodox, and perhaps not so conditioned by tactics.”

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When Klopp was asked about the remark, he declined to give a direct response, saying he found the nature of the criticism problematic.

The former Borussia Dortmund manager fumed that while some people seemed intrigued by the comment, it was a serious issue that should not be downplayed.

"No, no, I have no chance to answer this question. Everybody likes it, so you bring me into this situation. It’s not my job that everyone likes it, but this is a serious subject and I don’t even know what is appropriate to say. For African people it’s one thing, for other people it’s another thing," he fumed.

The German coach reportedly left the television studio after the comment.

Schweinsteiger’s remarks have sparked backlash from fans and other personalities, who argued that his comments undermined the integrity of African football and misrepresented the true style of play of African teams.

Watch the video below:

Jurgen Klopp walked out of an interview with a broadcaster after being asked about former Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger’s description of African football as “wild” and “unorthodox”.

Schweinteiger, who spent 17 seasons with Bayern Munich, commented on Ivory Coast’s… pic.twitter.com/vsaqHkHPb2

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) June 25, 2026