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Foreign Minister Baerbock unveils football ambassadors for EURO 2024
Foreign Minister Baerbock appointed football ambassadors at the EURO 2024 kick-off event at the Federal Foreign Office, © Florian Gaertner/AA/photothek.de
134 days before the start of the UEFA European Championship in Germany, Foreign Minister Baerbock appointed former players from the national teams as football ambassadors at the Federal Foreign Office.
Football brings us together. No matter where we come from. No matter what God we believe in or don’t. No matter what else we do in our lives. When we kick a ball, we are all just people.
- Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock
It is not just about keeping our fingers crossed for our team. The Men’s UEFA European Championship to be held in Germany from 14 June to 14 July 2024 is also designed to showcase the European model of diversity, freedom, mutual respect and sustainability and set a precedent for other major sporting events around the world. These values are the secret to our success – whether as a society or on the football pitch. After all, a country in which sections of the population cannot fully participate is hardly going to be able to field as good a team as a free country in which everyone can develop their full potential.
To promote these values in the world and Germany as a host country, Foreign Minister Baerbock has appointed seven former professional footballers as German football ambassadors: Steffi Jones, Thomas Hitzlsperger, Arne Friedrich, Gerald Asamoah, Jimmy Hartwig and Miroslav Klose who all played for Germany and the former referee Bibiana Steinhaus-Webb.
Football helps people integrate. We now have the opportunity to show we are a super host country in a Europe with strong values.
- Football ambassador Steffi Jones
The most sustainable European Championship ever
In particular given the climate crisis, we want to use EURO 2024 in Germany to set a precedent for other major sporting events worldwide. The Federal Government intends to make this European Championship the most sustainable ever. For example, no new stadiums are being built, CO2 emissions are being offset and there will be cut-price train tickets for fans travelling to matches.
Facts and figures
UEFA EURO 2024 is being held in Germany from 14 June to 14 July 2024. The European Championship will be played in ten stadiums (Berlin, Cologne, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich and Stuttgart). For the first time since 1988, the 24 participating teams will play in Germany to win the title. The whistle will blow in Munich for the opening game on 14 June with Germany playing Scotland. The final will be held in Berlin on 14 July.