The German FA, Deutscher Fußball-Bund (DFB), has invited 350 Ukrainian refugees on free admission to watch the Germany women’s national team live in action against Portugal in a FIFA Women’s Cup Qualifier at the SchücoArena in Bielefeld on Saturday, April 9.

The tickets will be distributed in cooperation with Bundesliga side DSC Arminia Bielefeld and German aid and welfare organisation Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Ostwestfalen-Lippe (Workers’ Samaritan Federation).

Germany women’s national team head coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg said: “The war in the Ukraine and the immeasurable suffering of the people there is of course a big talking point within the team. We are deeply moved and shocked. With this invitation, we hope to bring some distraction and joy to the refugees for at least a few moments.”