Germany’s 2026 World Cup is over after a heartbreaking 1-1 draw and penalty shootout loss to Paraguay in the Round of 32. While losing on penalties can sometimes be dismissed as a matter of luck, many supporters will argue that Germany’s exit was the result of much deeper problems that developed long before the shootout.
Julian Nagelsmann deserves credit for guiding Germany back to the knockout stage after the disappointments of 2018 and 2022. However, this tournament also raised serious questions
about his decision-making.
Roster construction was a frequent talking point throughout the World Cup. Many fans questioned whether the squad had the right balance, particularly when it came to depth in key positions and the omission or underuse of players who could have offered something different. Those concerns only grew as Germany struggled to consistently create chances against organized opponents.
Nagelsmann’s in-game decisions also came under heavy scrutiny. Several lineup choices, substitutions, and tactical adjustments left supporters wondering whether Germany was maximizing the talent available. Against Paraguay, Germany controlled possession for long stretches but rarely looked convincing enough to put the match away before penalties.
At the same time, changing managers is not always the answer. The DFB must decide whether this disappointing tournament was the product of poor coaching, an unbalanced player pool, or larger structural issues that have affected Germany for years. Nagelsmann has already stated that he wants to continue if the federation still has confidence in him.
Now the spotlight turns to the DFB.
Should Germany stay the course and give Nagelsmann another opportunity to rebuild, or is it time for a new voice on the sidelines?
What do you think? Should the DFB keep Julian Nagelsmann as Germany’s head coach? Let us know in the comments.
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