Unlike the men’s captain, captain Alexandra Popp wants to wear a rainbow armband at the World Cup.
There have already been initial talks with FIFA. “We discussed that we really want to play with it. But we’re also completely fine with it if we play with a different pad afterwards,” said the 32-year-old on Monday in a media round in Herzogenaurach.
What exactly the hoped-for sign of diversity and tolerance will look like in the end is therefore still an open question. “We’re completely relaxed about it. We’re in good talks with FIFA, which I think is nice. The men had the feeling that it was completely kept away. FIFA is much more open to us,” said Popp. A run-out with a “Respect” armband would also be acceptable, said the VfL Wolfsburg striker a month before the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand (July 20 to August 20).
The aim of FIFA is a decision that all teams can join. “As far as I know, they planned to talk to all 32 associations about the subject so that we can find a common denominator in the end. So far, no result has come out,” said Popp.
On the way to the home European Championship in 2024, the men’s national team will again be playing with a captain’s armband in Germany’s colours. After the World Cup theater around the “One Love” bandage, the new sports director Rudi Völler recommended moving away from the much-discussed sign on the sleeve. According to the DFB, the teams can decide for themselves which piece of fabric they want to use.