Midweek Warm-up: Is Germany ready to take the next step?

East Rutherford, United States - June 25: Joshua Kimmich of Germany gestures looks dejected during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Ecuador and Germany at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 25, 2026 in East Rutherford, United States. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Gett

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What is the story about?

For Germany, the knockout rounds were always the goal.

Sadly, just getting out of the Group Stage was an accomplishment after horrible failures in both 2018 and 2022. For all of the banter, the first goal for this group was achieved.

Now, the German national team will square off with an overmatched Paraguay squad, which — on paper — is not nearly as deep or as talented as Julian Nagelsmann’s group. It should be a relatively comfortable win, right?

Let’s hope.

While Germany did, indeed, survive the first

three games, the action has not exactly given fans a reason to have much hope. A dominant win over Curaçao, a nervy victory over Ivory Coast, and a disappointing loss to Ecuador left fans feeling a little unsure about things.

What made the defeat to Ecuador more unsettling was that Nagelsmann played his starters, instead of resting them — and they got outplayed (pretty badly).

As much as people want to close the door on the Group Stage, it is not hard to think about how the expanded field in the World Cup might be the only reason that Germany has gotten this far. Technicality or not, German is here and it should do everything it needs to do to win, right?

That is where fans are really split.

Personnel decisions, positional decisions, tactical decisions…they have all been hotly debated by both fans and pundits alike. Nagelsmann is clearly doing things his way, but as of now, it is totally unclear if this is the best way. Many would argue that it is not.

If Germany falls to Paraguay, it will go down as yet another black mark in a checkered part of the country’s footballing history. Is the squad feeling that pressure or has it banded together because of the doubt that seems to be everywhere with fans and the media?

There are players not operating at 100% with their health or with their confidence. There are productive players sitting on the bench in favor of players who the coach says are a better fit (yet have not proven to be). There have been some ridiculous roster decisions (Only two wings? No right-backs?). None of this typically leads to World Cup success.

Simply put, there is a lot pointing to Germany beating Paraguay and just looking to avoid disaster and embarrassment vs. France. If that happens, many would consider it a success.

It has to better.

It should be better.

Is there hope?

At this point, you have to believe that the group is truly able to tune out the noise and rally around each other. The one thing that can overcome poor coaching decisions, poor management decisions, and an iffy few games, is a team that believes in each other and fights together.

Even that has been absent to this point, but it does not mean it cannot happen. Let’s hope there is a renewed sense of vigor and fire in that locker room, the team is going to need it moving forward.

Prediction: Germany 3-1 Paraguay.

Song of the Midweek: “Welcome to the Fold” by Filter

In a previous edition of the Warm-up a few years ago (2022), we featured the 90s classic, “Hey Man, Nice Shot” by Filter (an underrated band from the era). Why not go back to the well with another Filter song?

“Welcome to the Fold” was released in 1999, right toward the end of that alternative rock movement which blended so many different sounds. Things were about to get very segmented musically, but Filter will always have a place in that era for some of the gems that it released. Enjoy:

Entertainment Rundown

We will break down the latest episode of House of the Dragon on Friday’s Weekend Warm-up.

The Social Reckoning

A few weeks ago, we had a note about The Social Reckoning, a next phase-type look at Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg that will catch up with the story that made for the classic that was The Social Network.

In this X post, Jesse Eisenberg explains why he is not returning to play Zuckerberg again (probably his best role ever):

It would have been great to see him reprise the role, especially because this “universe” is based (though not 100% to accuracy) on real-life events.

Because of how much I liked The Social Network, I will check this out, but it would have been awesome to see Eisenberg back in the film.

Predictions

The knockout rounds are here and this is where each team now can stake its claim to this wild tournament. France is the prohibitive favorite as Spain, Portugal, and England have all failed to convince.

Argentina looks to be the biggest threat to France, but the Frenchmen are looking unstoppable. How will the knockouts play out? Will there be any big upsets? Let’s take a look:

Sunday, June 28th