FIFA 2026: Germany looking for World Cup redemption after successive early exits
Surely it can’t happen again?
Four-time world champions Germany have been searching for redemption since their ignominious exit from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar marked a new low for the national team. Then-Germany coach Hansi Flick lasted another six games before giving up after three consecutive defeats.
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Julian Nagelsmann takes charge of the 2024 European Championship and makes a fresh start with young, exciting players. Host Germany lost to eventual champion Spain in the quarter-finals. Nagelsmann said there was little difference between the teams and lamented having to wait two years before becoming world champion.
Although his decision to recall veteran goalkeeper Manual Neuer from two-year international retirement showed his lack of faith in Oliver Baumann, whom he had previously stated would be No.1 in the goalscoring table after a solid performance in qualifying, Nagelsmann maintained that stance and repeated it on Thursday.
Neuer is the only remaining member of the Germany squad from the 2014 World Cup-winning team.
calculated risk
Nagelsmann admitted that Neuer’s return was “a blow” for Baumann, a team player who was unlikely to grumble publicly about the decision. But 40-year-old Neuer’s experience, which includes 124 appearances for Germany, could be a boon for the team in the goalkeeper’s fifth World Cup tournament.
“Everyone knows what kind of aura he has and the quality he brings to the team,” Nagelsmann said. “We don’t have a goalkeeper problem”
Neuer is around two years older than Nagelsmann, 38, who will be participating in his first World Cup.
According to Kicker magazine, with his participation the average age of the squad increased to 27.98; this was the oldest since the 2002 World Cup under Rudi Voller.
Neuer’s teammate at Bayern Munich, Joshua Kimmich, will be the captain of the team.
The only concern is Neuer’s recurring injuries. Neuer would miss Bayern Munich’s German Cup final against Stuttgart due to a calf injury.
Another group stage failure is unthinkable
Germany’s troubles in the last two World Cups began with opening defeats to Mexico and Japan in Russia and Qatar respectively.
Tournament newcomers Curacao are unlikely to come up with any surprises when they meet for their Group E opener in Houston on June 14.
Germany will next face potentially tougher opponents Ivory Coast and Ecuador, but Germany should still have enough firepower to get out of the group – especially since FIFA’s expanded version of the tournament means 32 of the 48 teams taking part will reach the knockout stage.
Young attackers will overcome defensive concerns
Germany had little trouble in World Cup qualifying but struggled against other European heavyweights such as France, Portugal and Spain, suggesting it still has a long way to go before it can compete with its main rivals.
Defensive stability is Nagelsmann’s biggest concern, as Germany conceded four goals in two friendly matches against Switzerland (4-3) and Ghana (1-0) in March.
Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck formed the central defensive partnerships in both matches; Kimmich, who played in Bayern’s midfield, was at right back, and David Raum or Nathaniel Brown was on the left.
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Serge Gnabry’s absence through injury is a blow but Germany have enough attacking talent in the likes of Bayern’s Jamal Musiala and Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz to resist Nagelsmann’s calls to bring in Cologne youngster Said El Mala.
The youngest member of the team, 18-year-old Bayern player Lennart Karl, became the wildcard player for Nagelsmann, who recovered after his knee injury.
