Germany Soccer Team Focuses on Sports Over Politics

Germany's national soccer team concluded the Nations League group stage with a 1-1 draw against Hungary, with Julian Nagelsmann's squad securing group victory despite a late equalizer from Dominik Szoboszlai. Germany finished with 14 points and will face Italy, Denmark, or Croatia in the quarter-finals, with the draw set for March 20 and 23. Meanwhile, Coach Nagelsmann emphasized a shift away from political gestures, urging players to focus on the game rather than political statements, a response to the distractions faced during the controversial 2022 World Cup. This decision comes as Saudi Arabia prepares to host the 2034 World Cup, stirring renewed discussions on human rights. Nagelsmann, alongside team captain Joshua Kimmich, believes that such issues should be handled by experts rather than the soccer team. Despite backlash from human rights organizations, the German soccer federation plans to support Saudi Arabia's bid for the tournament.