German players must uphold values as role models in society but are not political experts, new captain Joshua Kimmich said on Wednesday, ahead of next month's vote for Saudi Arabia to host the 2034 World Cup. .
Asked about politics in sport, with Saudi Arabia's bid set to be chosen for the World Cup amid human rights concerns, Kimmich said there was a limit to the extent of players' influence.
“In general, we players must defend specific values, especially as captain of the national team. But it is not our job to express ourselves politically all the time,” Kimmich said at a news conference.
Kimmich was speaking ahead of Group A3 leaders Germany's Nations League matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Saturday and Hungary three days later.
Kimmich, who took over the captaincy after this year's European Championship, said Germany had not benefited from its political stance during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“Look at the issue of Qatar. We did not present a good overall image as a team and country. We expressed political opinions and that took a bit of the joy out of the tournament. It was an exceptional World Cup in terms of organization,” he said.
Germany's players covered their mouths with their hands during a team photo before their group match against Japan at that World Cup following a dispute over threatened FIFA sanctions over a “OneLove” bracelet.
FIFA had threatened seven European teams with sanctions if they wore the armband that symbolizes diversity and tolerance, but only Germany publicly opposed the decision with that measure. Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar.
“Western countries represent points of view that we believe are universal and should be valid everywhere. We, as a country, feel that we also have problems, our own construction sites,” Kimmich said. “So maybe it's good to focus on that.”
“In the past we did not do everything well, one wants to defend values that are not negotiable, but we have people who should deal with politics and they are the experts. I am not a political expert.”
Saudi Arabia is the only candidate for the 2034 World Cup ahead of the FIFA Congress vote next month. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have opposed this due to the country's human rights record.
“I would like the guys who will participate in the tournament in 10 years to be able to concentrate on the competition. At the end of the day, it is our duty to do our best when we are nominated, because we are measured by results,” Kimmich said.
Saudi Arabia denies allegations of human rights abuses and says it protects its national security through its laws.
