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 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 the 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 form after a long injury lay off. It was far too disappointing 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 powerful performances.

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 start 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 Nagelsmann said was "too slow" against Paraguay.

Then there's Julian Nagelsmann. 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.

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 drinks break in Houston to turn the tide, and made the right changes in Toronto to bring Germany back into the game. Also, the facilities Germany used at Wake Forest University were top notch and certainly did not contribute to the team's early exit.

Will Nagelsmann get sacked?

This is, of course, the question. The performance on the field suggests Nagelsmann is on thin ice, but recent history suggests that he might well retain his job for Euro 2028. After all, both Hansi Flick and Joachim Löw stayed longer than many expected.

"I'm here to work and if the DFB [German Football Association] decide otherwise then they should tell me," Nagelsmann said after the defeat. "I'm not the type of person who runs away."

If the DFB decide to retain Nagelsmann, he will have a lot of goodwill to earn back. This performance will not have endeared him to Germany fans, especially after his communication troubles around Undav, Kimmich's position, Neuer and player roles before the tournament.

If they decide to move on, it will prove costly for them because of the contract extension they agreed with Nagelsmann in January 2025. For an association that has only just started to recover from the financial impact of two consecutive World Cup exits, another disappointment on the field combined with another head coach sacking would make balancing the numbers at the end of the year a bit more difficult.

Who could be the next Germany head coach?

Jürgen Klopp is touted as the favorite. The former Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool head coach, who has been working with Red Bull since early 2025, was quick to shut down any talk of such a move, though.

"I understand that my name is being mentioned, but this is not the moment to talk about it – and especially not with me," Klopp said afterwards.

Earlier in the tournament, Klopp caused a stir while working as a pundit for MagentaTV, saying: "Luckily, it's Julian Nagelsmann who's picking the team," before adding: "For now." 

Those two words became a cloud that hung over Nagelsmann somewhat, and even though Klopp apologized, many feel the 59-year-old is waiting in the wings for the job.

Will any players retire?

It seems likely that many of this playing group will move on. At 40, Neuer's return was only ever going to be for this tournament. Sadly, at 36, it is unlikely that Oliver Baumann, the man who looked set to be Germany's number one at the tournament, will ever play for his country again.

Captain Joshua Kimmich (31) has endured a torrid time in his international career and maybe a Euros aged 33 is just a bridge too far for a player who has become the face of this disappointed generation. Antonio Rüdiger (33), Leon Goretzka (31), Leroy Sane (30), and Pascal Gross (35) will likely not be back.

Germany's next game is against the Netherlands in the Nations League at the end of September. With it comes the start of Germany's next new era.

Edited by: Chuck Penfold