German Roots

Lukas, USA

Eintracht Frankfurt and Goal Click are showcasing how the energy, traditions, and spirit of Eintracht travel far beyond the city itself through the eyes of two club supporters during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. While the club's "Made in Frankfurt" campaign celebrates the players whose brilliance, attitude, and energy were shaped during their time at Eintracht before taking to the world stage, this series explores what that idea means for club supporters based in the USA.

Lukas is a 17-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt supporter whose German roots and love of football have connected him with fans around the world.

My name is Lukas Bokatius, born and raised in Arizona. I am 17 years old and live in a town called Chandler. I hope our Eintracht player Timmy Chandler comes to visit one day! I am a high school student and a lifeguard.

My dad moved to the US from Germany, so I am supporting Germany at the World Cup because when my sister Liv and I were kids, my dad used to joke that we were “at least 51% German.” He thought there had to be some German ancestry on my mom’s side, and it turns out he may have been right!

My great-great-great-grandfather on my mother’s side moved from Hamburg to Bergen, Norway during the “Hanse” times to help build the famous wooden Bryggen houses.

Naturally, my dad was quick to remind us: “See? I told you that you were at least 51% German.” Maybe it’s closer to 53%.

Memorable Moments

I have been supporting Eintracht Frankfurt my whole life. My dad is a diehard Eintracht fan, and I even had Eintracht onesies and pacifiers when I was a baby.

To me, Made in Frankfurt means passion, loyalty, community, and sharing football with others.

The energy the crowd creates in the stadium is exhilarating, and the tifos are incredible.

The best football moment I have ever experienced was the Europa League Final in Sevilla in 2022 between Eintracht and Rangers. My dad called all my teachers to get me out of school that week so I could go with him to Spain. My mom could not believe it!

The atmosphere in Sevilla was electric. We arrived two days before the final and met other Frankfurt supporters from the United States by chance, and we still keep in touch with them today.

Match day was unlike anything I had ever experienced. Seeing almost the entire stadium dressed in white was incredible. One of the most memorable moments came when the fans unveiled a giant tifo stretching across the stands - it was amazing.

What stood out most, though, was the sound. Tens of thousands of supporters chanting together and echoed throughout the stadium. It pulled you completely into the moment. You could feel the passion and sense of community from everyone around you. Both the Eintracht and Rangers supporters helped make it far more than just a football match. It was an unforgettable experience that will stay with me for years to come.

We bumped into Axel Hellmann (CEO of Eintracht Frankfurt), who was surprised to meet Eintracht fans from Arizona. We briefly chatted with Basti Red, host of the Fussball 2000 podcast, and after the game we took a photo with former Eintracht player David Abraham and his son.

Straight after the match, we caught a flight to Frankfurt to spend a few days with my grandparents, but of course, we went to the team reception first. I high-fived most players as they drove by in convertibles. It was crazy!

Reunions

While I am supporting Germany during the World Cup, being an Eintracht fan is still a huge part of the experience.

It is exciting that the United States is hosting the World Cup because it will help soccer continue to grow in popularity here. At the same time, I am curious to see how the atmosphere compares to a tournament hosted in a country with a longer football tradition, like Germany. Even if the experience is a little different from what fans are used to elsewhere, it is a unique opportunity to see the world come together through football.

I watched Germany’s opening match of the 2026 World Cup with my mom, dad, and sister. The 7–1 victory made for an exciting start to the tournament, and it was amazing to see Germany play so well. While the atmosphere was very good, it was not quite as intense as some of the matches I’ve attended in Germany. I think that was partly because many of the Germany supporters were Americans who did not know the chants or speak the language, so the songs often faded quickly.

Even so, it was a memorable experience and one I will never forget.

I was especially happy to see Nene Brown make the first team and do really well. I also support Eintracht players when they are representing other teams, and I am always happy when they get minutes and their teams do well.

We definitely brought a little bit of Frankfurt with us to the World Cup. I had Attila (the club’s live eagle mascot) with me, my dad wore an Eintracht hat, and we waved a giant Eintracht flag in the middle of the Germany supporters’ section a few times. At one point, I inspired a few Germans in Lederhosen to sing a football chant on a shuttle bus!

One of the best parts of the tournament has been reconnecting with fellow Eintracht supporters. During the World Cup, we met up with Angi and Chris from EFC Austin Adler, whom we first got to know in Sevilla. They were among the first US-based Eintracht fans we ever met, and meeting them was what first opened our eyes to the network of Eintracht fan clubs across the United States. Their passion and sense of community inspired us to start our own fan club in Arizona.

Since then, we have had the chance to reconnect at several events. Last summer, my dad and I traveled to Louisville and Philadelphia for Eintracht’s training camp, where we met players, took photos, and spent time with supporters from across the country. Angi and Chris were there as well, which made it feel like a reunion.

Maybe we will take a trip to Austin someday for a joint watch party!

Passion and Loyalty

One of the best things about following Eintracht is the people you meet.

What makes Eintracht Frankfurt supporters special is their passion and loyalty. No matter where the team plays, the fans create an incredible atmosphere through nonstop singing and chanting. They stand by the club through both wins and losses, and their support never stops.

What stands out most to me is how united the fanbase is. Whether at home or away, Eintracht supporters always make their presence known. Their dedication to the club and to one another is what truly sets them apart.