As the FIFA World Cup in Russia moves closer, the ball is rolling into the Federal Foreign Office. Tomorrow, Tuesday (8 May), the German Football Ambassador award will be presented there for the 6th time. Foreign Minister Maas will participate in the award ceremony for the German Football Ambassador 2018.

This prize is awarded to German coaches or players who make a special contribution to promoting a positive image of Germany through their work abroad in the field of sport and society. This year, the nominees are Ernst Middendorp, Gert Engels and Theo Bücker.

The jury has awarded the initiative’s honorary prize to Otto Pfister, who worked for many years as a coach, chiefly in West Africa, and who currently coaches the Afghan national team. Foreign Minister Maas will speak at the ceremony in honour of the prizewinners.

In addition to the German Football Ambassador award, a people’s choice award, decided via a public vote on the internet (www.fussballbotschafter.de), will be presented to one of eleven prominent active German players abroad.

The award ceremony is organised by the German Football Ambassador initiative (Deutsche Fußball Botschafter e.V.) and hosted by the Federal Foreign Office. The initiative brings together various promoters and sports experts, such as Rainer Holzschuh, editor of the sports magazine “kicker”. Partners include Deutsche Welle and the Goethe-Institut.