Berlin Opts Against Fan Zone at Brandenburg Gate for 2026 World Cup
Berlin, May 18 – Contrary to earlier expectations and tradition, Berlin will not feature a fan zone at its landmark Brandenburg Gate for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This decision, updated on May 18, 2026, marks a notable change from past tournaments where the area transformed into a vibrant public viewing space.
The official capital portal, “berlin.de,” initially reported that a fan zone was planned between the Victory Column and the Brandenburg Gate. However, a spokesperson for the Senate Chancellery clarified to “Spiegel” that no organizer had come forward to host such an event. Consequently, a fan zone was never formally planned, and the initial publication was deemed erroneous.
A Break from Tradition
The Brandenburg Gate fan zone has been a central hub for football enthusiasts during major international tournaments, most recently for the home European Championship in 2024. Tens of thousands of fans gathered there to collectively celebrate and support their teams. The absence of this communal viewing experience will undoubtedly be felt by many Berliners and visitors.
World Cup Schedule and Time Differences
The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19 across the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Due to the significant time difference, many matches will kick off in Germany late in the evening or during the night. For instance, the German national team’s first group stage match against Curacao is set for 7:00 PM German time, with subsequent group matches against Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire) and Ecuador scheduled for 10:00 PM.
Squad Announcements and Team News
Meanwhile, national teams are beginning to finalize their rosters. Sergej Barbarez, head coach for Bosnia-Herzegovina, was the first to announce his 26-man squad, which includes six players from German leagues. Among them is captain Edin Dzeko from FC Schalke 04, along with Ermedin Demirovic, Dzenis Burnic, Nikola Vasilj, Haris Tabakovic, and Nikola Katic. Bosnia is slated to face co-host Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland in the tournament.
In other team news, Nicolas Capaldo, a key player for HSV, has been named in Argentina’s provisional 55-man squad by coach Lionel Scaloni. While his inclusion is a testament to his performance, his final participation remains uncertain given the large preliminary squad, which also includes Exequiel Palacios and Equi Fernandez from Bayer Leverkusen.
As the tournament draws closer, more updates are expected regarding team selections and logistical arrangements for fans across Germany and the host nations.
