World Cup 2026: Emerse Fae labels Schweinsteiger’s “African Football” remarks as racist

Cote d’Ivoire head coach Emerse Fae has hit out at Bastian Schweinsteiger over his controversial comments about African football at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, calling the remarks racist while expressing deep personal disappointment in the former German captain.

Schweinsteiger, serving as a pundit for German public broadcaster ARD, described Cote d’Ivoire’s style of play as “African football” ahead of their Group match against Germany, characterising it as “somewhat atypical,” “unpredictable,” and “a bit barbaric,” while also suggesting that this type of football “does not emphasize tactics like European teams.”

The comments ignited a fierce backlash, and Fae – whose Elephants pushed Germany all the way before falling 2-1 – did not hold back when asked about them.

“It is sad. He is a great player. I always loved his play so much so a friend of mine whom I played with used to call me Bastian,” the Ivorian coach said.

“I’m disappointed with his comments. We live in a world where everybody says what’s on their mind. If we want to call a spade a spade, it is racist. African teams are not just physical, but also tactical. I hope it is just a comment and is not reflective of his mind.”

Fae’s words carry particular weight given the context of the match itself. Far from reflecting any lack of tactical discipline, the Cote d’Ivoire coach had devised an astute tactical setup, using physicality to compress space and largely dominating the German side in the first half – a dominance that was extended further after Franck Kessie’s opener on 30 minutes.

The controversy has reverberated well beyond the Ivorian camp. Fellow German TV pundit Jurgen Klopp was visibly uncomfortable when asked about the remarks, interrupting a reporter mid-question and declaring: “I have no chance to answer this question… this is a serious subject.”

Despite the scale of the outcry, Schweinsteiger has not issued a public apology, and ARD has taken no disciplinary action against him.

The 2014 World Cup winner remained on air as a pundit for the England vs. Ghana Group match.

Fae’s response adds the most powerful voice yet to a growing chorus of condemnation – that of a coach who not only disproves the stereotype on the touchline, but who once idolised the man making it.