Werder Bremen Cancel US Trip Over ICE Shooting Concerns

Werder Bremen have cancelled a planned trip to the United States that was set to include friendly matches in Minnesota and Detroit in May, citing concerns over safety and unrest linked to recent immigration enforcement operations. 

The Bundesliga club’s decision reflects a mix of sporting, economic and political factors, with officials saying that playing in a city affected by unrest and recent shooting deaths did not fit with the club’s values. 

What prompted the cancellation?

A spokesperson said the decision was influenced by recent federal immigration enforcement activity in Minnesota, which ignited protests and community anger after two American civilians were fatally shot by federal immigration enforcement agents earlier this year:

• ** ** Renée Good, 37, was fatally shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis on 7 January 2026, during a large enforcement operation.

• ** ** Two weeks later, Alex Pretti, 37, was shot and killed by federal immigration officers in the same city, sparking further protests and calls for independent investigations.

These incidents are part of broader unrest and demonstrations in the Minneapolis area in response to aggressive federal immigration enforcement measures that have been deployed in the region and across the U.S. in early 2026. 

Safety and travel concerns

Werder Bremen also raised uncertainty about U.S. entry requirements for players, including the potential impact of stricter visa rules and enhanced security checks, which clubs say could complicate travel logistics. 

The spokesperson noted that “playing in a city where there is unrest and people have been shot does not fit with our values.”