The 2026 FIFA World Cup delivered arguably its biggest shock to date on Monday when four-time champions Germany were knocked out in the Round of 32 by Paraguay, throwing head coach Julian Nagelsmann’s future into immediate question.
Having drawn 1-1 in regular time, German defender Jonathan Tah found the back of the net in extra time, only for it to be controversially ruled out following a VAR review due to a foul in the build-up on Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
The game wound up being decided on penalties, with Paraguay coming out on top to become the third team after Canada and Brazil to reach the Round of 16.
As for Germany, this marks their third consecutive World Cup, after winning it in 2014 in Brazil, in which they have failed to reach the Round of 16.
But despite the brutal loss and with his team falling extremely short of expectations, having come into the tournament ranked 10th in the world by FIFA, Nagelsmann appears defiant in his desire to continue in his current role.
Speaking after the game to ZDF, the former Bayern Munich boss said, via Patrick Berger, “I am available if the DFB (German Football Association) wants that. If the DFB doesn't want that, they have to tell me. I'm not one who runs away, that's out of the question.”
Nagelsmann is currently under contract through UEFA Euro 2028, having penned an extension back in January 2025. Prior to the World Cup, the 38-year-old had gone 21-6-6 as German head coach dating back to October 2023.
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During that span, Nagelsmann has led Germany to the Euro 2024 quarterfinals and fourth place in the Nations League in 2025.
If Nagelsmann is to stick around, it seems he may have some work to do in winning the favor of the locker room, not least with captain Joshua Kimmich. “It feels bad and not good,” he said postgame.
“We haven't played top against any opponent. Three times we had big problems against teams that aren't world-class. That's a fact. We were completely deservedly eliminated.”
Kai Havertz, meanwhile, was admittedly left in a state of “shock” following the loss, telling FOX Sports, “Shock probably is a good word. It's hard to find words after something like this, because we came here with a goal in our head and especially also after the last couple of tournaments. We had big goals, and I thought we were on a good way and then to go out like this, it's not easy.”
As for Paraguay, they reached the Round of 16 for only the fourth time in their history, with all eyes set on besting their best ever performance back in 2010 in South Africa when they made it all the way to the quarterfinals. Next up for the South American side will be the winner of a yet-to-be-played Round of 32 game between France and Sweden.
Source: Alloutsoccer.com
