Anniversaries come in intervals and make us look back and reminisce about events past, either long past or not so long. The World Cup of 2006 is such an event to look back and remember the summer that shaped an entire generation of football fans. The so-called summer fairy tale of 2006, by not we know that it was bought, was a moment that not only brought a new swath of fans to the German national team but also changed the perception of Germany abroad. The Germans could have fun, could organise a party and no one has had a bad time. However, the surface may be shiny, yet darker details lurk underneath and show their face only when looking carefully. There were unpleasant undertones in the German press towards the opponents of the national team. The Italian players were labelled as histrionic while their English colleagues were seen as glamour boys.
The papers raised the question of whether the flag waving was the sign of a new patriotism or, worse, nationalism or just the sheer emotion getting the better of the Germans. In fact, in 2006 there were flags everywhere; it was almost deemed unpatriotic not to have a flag and wave it.
Twenty years on and we are wiser. Twenty years are a long time and the rise of the far right, not only in Germany but globally, has given those critical of the careless and rash flag waving plenty of evidence for their argument.
Hormones firing like a fifty foot Roman, yeah
Please don’t make me explain, doesn’t matter anyway
Pearl Jam „Black, Red, Yellow“ (1996)
On the face of it, people will always wave the flag at football matches and argue that it is done in support of the national team – this is a global truth and it should be acknowledged. Then there are those who will no longer wave a flag, simply because it has become associated with the AfD in Germany or other nationalist groups in other countries. Not waving is an act of making a political point, therefore. Lastly, there are those for whom the flag means more than just showing support for the football team, it is to signal their nationalist views.
A flag is always political, though, is not? It represents a nation, as such it is the best known tool to create and recreate an imagined community over and over again. We do not know the other 82 million Germans but we can all agree that black, red and yellow are the colours of the Federal Republic of Germany and as such represent certain values and represent certain things. It is also the most banal form of nationalism according to Michael Billig.
Innocence Lost
In 2026 the inherent innocence and the novelty of those huge open air football parties has gone. A sobering effect has set in as the debate about the flag, its meaning has taken centre stage. Many distance themselves from flag waving as it is seen as nationalist. However, the void created thus is happily capered by right wing and extremist groups who can dominate the debate from a position of power. The Germany of 2026 is no longer the Germany of 2006. Back then, nationalist voices were far more restrained than they are now. The roles have very much been inverted: the few make the biggest noise while the mass watches on silently and glumly.
A lot has changed, yet flags remain political. However, it is upon society and people to decide how politically charged it should be. Currently, it’s supercharged and it’s not for the better.