Germany's long association with World Cup glory has taken another devastating blow — Julian Nagelsmann's side were eliminated in the round of 16 at FIFA World Cup 2026, losing to Paraguay on penalties after a 1-1 draw near Boston.

Kai Havertz, the Arsenal forward, cancelled out Julio Enciso's 42nd-minute opener nine minutes after half-time, but his spot-kick was saved by goalkeeper Orlando Gill in the shoot-out. Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah also missed, while a late Tah header that could have won the match was ruled out by VAR.

A third consecutive early exit

It is now three consecutive World Cup eliminations before the quarter-finals for Germany — knocked out in the group stage in Russia in 2018, then again in Qatar in 2022, and now this. Nagelsmann was candid about what that run means for his nation's standing in the game.