Germany's turbulent recent history at major tournaments took another painful turn on Tuesday when Paraguay eliminated them from the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the last-32 stage, winning 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw through extra time.
The front page of Bild, Germany's best-selling newspaper, captured the national mood with a headline translated as "The next German football nightmare" — a damning verdict on a nation that once dominated the global game.
How the match unfolded
Played in Boston, Germany controlled possession — finishing with 75 percent of the ball — but found themselves frustrated by a compact, disciplined Paraguay side that belied their 41st-place FIFA ranking. Julio Enciso, formerly of Brighton and Ipswich, gave Paraguay a surprise lead that stunned the German faithful.
Arsenal's Kai Havertz pulled Germany level with a glancing header early in the second half, and Jonathan Tah thought he had put his side ahead, only for his header to be ruled out for a foul by a team-mate moments earlier.
Germany entered the shootout carrying a flawless record — four penalty shootouts played, four won — but that unblemished history collapsed spectacularly. Havertz had his opening effort saved, Newcastle's Nick Woltemade was also denied by goalkeeper Gill, and Tah blazed his attempt over the bar. Defender Jose Canale converted the decisive kick to send Paraguay through.
Nagelsmann fighting for his future
Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann did not attempt to hide from the gravity of the situation. "When you exit the World Cup after you play Paraguay it is very bitter. It is very hurtful," he said. "This is the third elimination in a row, so we are not part of the first-class teams any more."
Yet Nagelsmann made clear he intends to fight for his position. "I'm not going to step back only because we are eliminated. If the DFB want me to continue, I am going to continue," he said, acknowledging that German public opinion had turned firmly against him.
Nagelsmann, who guided Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga title in 2022 before taking the national job in 2023, led Germany to the quarter-finals of the Euros they hosted in 2024. That was considered a disappointment, and this exit — to a team ranked 31 places below them — is a far heavier blow.
Social media pressure has already mounted for ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp to replace him, and Klopp himself — working as a television pundit at this tournament — had publicly criticised Germany's display against Ecuador before this defeat.
Pundits deliver a damning verdict
Former Germany defender Arne Friedrich, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, was unequivocal. "Nagelsmann has to face the consequences. It is very disappointing, but that is sport. I would definitely say the journey continues without Nagelsmann."
Former Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger echoed that assessment. "It doesn't look good for Nagelsmann. In the last few months, he hasn't dealt with situations well. With the expanded World Cup format, to go out so early would be tough to take for any big nation," he told BBC One.
German football journalist Raphael Honigstein was equally blunt on BBC Radio 5 Live. "It is going to be very hard for him to survive this. I think it will be over for him, I am afraid. You can get knocked out, but you can't get knocked out against Paraguay at this stage in this manner."
A deeper identity crisis
Beyond Nagelsmann's personal fate lies a structural question about German football itself. Hitzlsperger argued the country has lost the competitive edge that once made it feared worldwide. "We've lost that aura that made teams fear us. Other teams respect us but they don't fear us any more," he said.
He pointed to Argentina as the model Germany should aspire to emulate — a team capable of combining creative brilliance with a ruthless, physical edge. "Of course, we don't have a Lionel Messi and not every team can play like Argentina or France. But we should be closer to where those teams are," he added.
Since their World Cup triumph in 2014, Germany have failed to emerge from the group stage twice and have now fallen at the first knockout hurdle in 2026. Paraguay advance to face either France or Sweden in the last 16 on Saturday, while Germany head home to confront yet another early exit.
