The headquarters of the German Football Association (DFB) received a search warrant less than 24 hours after the Germany national team was eliminated by Paraguay from the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup.
According to Bild newspaper, more than 150 police officers and investigators unexpectedly raided and searched the DFB headquarters. The investigation targets allegations related to favoring certain guests during the time Germany hosted EURO 2024.
Suspicion focuses on match tickets, hotel rooms, and several related benefits being illegally allocated to people ‘with close relations’. Not only was the DFB headquarters searched, but the investigative forces also reviewed city halls and administrative agencies in localities that previously hosted EURO 2024 matches.
The scope of the search shows that the authorities are clarifying the responsibilities of relevant units during the tournament organization process, instead of only focusing on the German football governing body.
Mr. Herbert Reul, Minister of the Interior of North Rhine-Westphalia state, affirmed that any acts of receiving improper benefits in the public sector will be strictly handled. “Football tickets are not part of a salary. Anyone in the public apparatus who expects bribes will have to face us,” Mr. Herbert Reul declared.
According to Mr. Reul, major sporting events can only be successful when they retain public trust. Therefore, the authorities will not let that trust be eroded by favors such as invitations, football tickets, or privileges reserved for a certain group of people.
The incident makes the week of German football even more gloomy. The team that won the world championship 4 times just lost to Paraguay in the round of 32 after a penalty shootout, which was also the first time they failed in a ‘shootout’ at the World Cup.
This defeat continues to extend the decline of German football since winning the 2014 World Cup. “The Panzer” was previously eliminated right from the group stage at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, before the painful loss to Paraguay became one of the biggest surprises at the 2026 World Cup.
The DFB has not yet made an official comment, and the investigative agency has not yet announced the conclusion of the case. However, the move is creating heavy pressure on the German football governing body, which was already placed under scrutiny after years of the national team failing to meet expectations.
