ALBAWABA - Germany’s early exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup has drawn widespread criticism across the country, with growing demands for head coach Julian Nagelsmann to resign and a major overhaul of the national team following another disappointing tournament.
The four-time world champions were eliminated in the Round of 32 after losing to Paraguay on penalties after a 1-1 draw, one of the competition's biggest upsets. Adding to Germany’s recent woes in major international tournaments, the loss sparked a heated debate about the national team’s future.
Captain Joshua Kimmich accepted full responsibility for the defeat, saying Germany had not performed at the tournament. The team deserved to go out, he said, and insisted the coaching staff, referees or outside factors were not to blame for the disappointing campaign.
No matter what Kimmich said, German media continued to ask questions about the refereeing, especially the disallowed goal by Jonathan Tah in extra-time. But most commentators agreed that the troubles facing the national side went far deeper than one refereeing decision.
Football magazine Kicker has criticized Nagelsmann's tactical concept and said he did not get the best out of the squad. It cast doubt on his persistence with veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, his choice to play Kimmich at right-back instead of midfield and the underwhelming performances of key players like Florian Wirtz, Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala.
Sky Germany also pointed to the experience of the squad's core, saying senior players failed to deliver when it mattered most in Germany's first knockout match of the tournament.
Former Germany skipper Lothar Matthäus has called for a new beginning with new leaders, saying the national team needs major changes on and off the field. Mats Hummels mirrored those concerns, calling for a deep dive into the long-term project of the national team and saying the time had come for hard decisions to be made regarding several veteran players.
Germany’s performance against Paraguay was “disastrous”, according to former coach Christian Streich, while Per Mertesacker believes the national side needs a complete reassessment before it can realistically compete for another World Cup title.
'While criticism has grown, German Football Association sporting director Rudi Völler said he backed Nagelsmann in the short term while confirming the federation would carry out a full assessment of the team's World Cup campaign. There are suggestions that in the coming days important decisions are to be made on the coaching staff and a number of senior players.
