🇩🇪 Germany at the World Cup 2026

Road to the final

Germany's path ended in Match 74: Germany 1, Paraguay 1 (Paraguay 4-3 pens).

The current knockout branch begins with Germany vs Paraguay.

Group results and standing

Germany finished group winner in Group E with 6 points and a +6 goal difference.

Remaining fixtures

Coach & captain

Head coach: Julian Nagelsmann. Germany's young coach arrived at this tournament having built one of the most technically gifted squads the nation has produced in a decade. Captain: {{CAPTAIN_NAME}} — the leader of a team that looked capable of deep tournament runs but could not get past Paraguay when the pressure arrived.

How they qualified

Germany qualified through UEFA European qualifying, winning their group with {{QUALIFICATION_RECORD}}. The campaign confirmed the promise of a new generation built around Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, and Germany arrived in North America as one of the pre-tournament favourites for the title.

Group stage summary

Germany topped Group E with six points and a +6 goal difference — the performances were controlled and at times impressive, with a squad that pressed high, moved the ball quickly, and created chances in quantity. They looked well-placed for a deep run into the knockout stages. The combination of technical midfield quality and experienced defenders gave them a structure that appeared capable of handling anything they would face in the bracket.

Tournament summary — Eliminated at the Round of 32

Germany's tournament ended at the Round of 32 against Paraguay. After a tense 1-1 draw at Boston Stadium on June 29, the penalty shoot-out went Paraguay's way: 4-3. It was one of the defining upsets of the Round of 32 — a European heavyweight eliminated by a South American side that had finished third in Group D. The result will prompt significant reflection on how Germany performed under pressure in the knockout stage and what the next cycle holds.

See the full match report: Germany vs Paraguay recap.

Key players

• Jamal Musiala (midfielder/forward) — the most naturally gifted player in the Germany squad, capable of changing a match with a single touch. His close control and ability to carry the ball through pressure were the standout highlights of Germany's group stage.
• Florian Wirtz (midfielder/forward) — creative playmaker who provides goals and assists from an advanced midfield position. His combination with Musiala was Germany's most dangerous offensive relationship throughout the tournament.
• {{KEY_PLAYER_GER_3}} ({{POSITION}}) — {{PLAYER_SENTENCE}}.

World Cup history

Germany are one of the most successful nations in World Cup history, having won the tournament four times (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014). Their 2014 title in Brazil, sealed with a 1-0 win over Argentina in the final, was the most recent. The 2018 group stage exit and the 2026 Round of 32 defeat to Paraguay represent successive disappointments for a nation that expects to compete for titles. The rebuild continues.

Bracket path

Germany were eliminated at the Round of 32. See the bracket visualiser for where Paraguay — the team that beat them — progresses next.