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German tennis star Alexander Zverev speaks to FIFA about his football fandom and World Cup idols.
Alexander Zverev knows everything about leading Germany to a major international title. The tennis star secured Olympic gold for his country at the Covid-delayed Tokyo 2020 Games, becoming the first German to lift the men's singles title.
Among the first athletes to congratulate Zverev on his historic achievement was Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger. "First men‘s singles tennis gold medalist in German history! What a thrilling final and sensational performance from you, [Alex Zverev] Congrats on Olympic gold," Schweinsteiger wrote on X.
A massive Bayern Munich fan, Zverev is now hoping that Germany's men's football team follow in his footsteps at the FIFA World Cup 2026™. After cruising through qualifying, Julian Nagelsmann's team face Côte d'Ivoire, Curaçao and Ecuador in Group E of the global showpiece.
"I think Germany have a good chance. I think they are going to play better than they did at previous tournaments," Zverev told FIFA. "I think they have a more settled team. They have a very young team of course but I feel like they are going to do well."
The Hamburg native fulfilled a lifelong dream by attending a World Cup match in his home town at Germany 2006. Meanwhile, the 29-year-old's tournament idols are understandably long, considering his country's illustrious history in the competition and recent success at Brazil 2014.
"Oliver Kahn, he was my favourite player growing up," the world No3 added. "And from the 2014 German team there are so many - Schweinsteiger, [Lukas] Podolski, Manuel Neuer… who I thought was one of the most important players, Toni Kroos of course... so many."
It is unclear if Zverev will be able to attend the World Cup due to his tennis commitments, which he will no doubt hope includes a deep run at Wimbledon. But he will be keenly watching the upcoming tournament.
"I think everybody is excited by the World Cup because it happens once every four years. It’s the biggest sporting event in the world outside of the Olympics," he said.
