Germany out of 2026 World Cup: What went wrong?
Germany are out of the World Cup earlier than expected for the third straight time. How did this happen? What happened? For the third straight
Germany are out of the World Cup earlier than expected for the third straight time. How did this happen? What happened? For the third straight World Cup, Germany have not made it to the round of 16. They lost 4-3 on penalties to Paraguay in the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup, after the game finished 1-1 following extra time. Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah missed penalties in the shootout, and even Manuel Neuer's heroics weren't enough to save Germany this time. "Yes, it seems so for sure," Havertz said after the loss, when asked if Germany had become a second-tier team. It was Germany's first ever loss on penalties at a World Cup. Germany had won all four previous shootouts. They have now not won a knockout game at a World Cup since 2014, when they went on to win the tournament. The defeat has been met by shock in much of the national media, with many frustrated that Germany suffered defeat at the hands of a "limited opponent." Who is to blame for Germany's exit? The reasons for Germany's exit are varied. Firstly, key players did not deliver on the field. Captain Joshua Kimmich underwhelmed. Florian Wirtz appeared to carry his poor club form into the World Cup. Jamal Musiala looked like a player desperately trying to get back into gear after a lengthy injury. It was far too disappointing stuff from far too many players who needed to deliver to keep the group together. Collectively, Germany were shaky in defense, and lacked penetration and decisiveness in attack. They did not go a game at this tournament without conceding, and other than against Curacao, failed to transfer promising passages into convincing results.
Injuries certainly didn't help. Losing Serge Gnabry before the tournament was a blow. To then see Lennart Karl suffer a major injury in Chicago, just days before the tournament began, really stopped Germany in their tracks, as the Bayern teenager looked set to shine down the right-hand side. Nico Schlotterbeck being ruled out for months during the first half of the Ivory Coast game was perhaps the biggest loss of all, though. The Borussia Dortmund defender was an integral part of Germany's play, particularly in the build-up, which coach Julian Nagelsmann said was "too slow" against Paraguay. Then there's Nagelsmann himself. His decision to recall 40-year-old Manuel Neuer did not prove, despite a save in the shootout against Paraguay, to be the factor he made it out to be. His substitutions suggested a coach still searching for his best 11. Against Ecuador, with the group already won, his changes left Germany disjointed and wiped away any hope of maintaining their momentum into the knockouts. Even though this Germany team were not contenders, it would also be fair to say that Nagelsmann appeared to struggle to get the best out of this group. For the third straight World Cup, Germany have failed to meet expectations Image: Scott Coleman/Eibner-Pressefoto/picture alliance Did anything go right for Germany at this World Cup? There were some bright moments. Deniz Undav's performances off the bench were some of the most magical moments, particularly his last-minute winner against Ivory Coast in Toronto. Nathaniel Brown, Nadiem Amiri and Jonathan Tah all had largely positive tournaments. Coaching wise, Nagelsmann used the hydration break in Houston to turn the tide, and made the right changes in Toronto to bring Germany back into the game.
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