Germany have crashed out of the World Cup at an early stage for the third consecutive tournament, sparking intense debate about a national team that appears to have lost its way tactically. Following exits in 2018 and 2022, this latest failure has been attributed not to a shortage of talent, but to a decade-long struggle to establish a clear footballing identity.
Julian Nagelsmann has faced particular criticism for his approach. The manager repeatedly altered systems and formations throughout the campaign, abandoning strategies even when they proved effective. Deniz Undav had thrived coming off the bench, yet Nagelsmann deviated from that strategy against Paraguay. The team used different setups in the final group match against Ecuador and the knockout fixture that followed, a rotation that lacked obvious purpose.
Tactical confusion costs dear
The constant chopping and changing has left players uncertain of their roles. Joshua Kimmich, who operates in midfield for Bayern Munich, was not deployed in his familiar position consistently. Meanwhile, Florian Wirtz, widely considered among the squad’s most creative talents, was denied a sustained run in a central position behind Kai Havertz despite their evident chemistry against Paraguay.
Former approaches offer a stark contrast. German sides traditionally succeeded when player responsibilities were clearly defined and hierarchies established. Currently, the side lacks the control required to build from the back and maintain possession in opposition territory.
Contrast with tournament winners
Other leading nations have demonstrated the value of consistency. Spain, France and Argentina each operate with recognisable patterns that their players execute with precision. Didier Deschamps and Lionel Scaloni have built structured environments around established stars such as Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi, creating security and order that Germany currently lack.
The continued selection of veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has also drawn scrutiny. Relying on members of the 2014 World Cup-winning generation suggests a reluctance to fully trust younger players, potentially undermining squad confidence.
Unity amid disappointment
Despite the turmoil, one positive element emerged from the campaign. Players displayed notable solidarity during difficult moments. Antonio Rüdiger offered public support to fellow defenders Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck, while Havertz spoke warmly of Undav’s contributions. Kimmich publicly backed Leroy Sané and the manager himself.
This camaraderie distinguishes the current group from the 2018 squad, whose attitude was widely questioned. Observers note that today’s players, products of systematic academy development, are genuinely devastated by the outcomes and committed to improvement.
Recovery requires patience and clarity. Germany must decide how they wish to play and stick to that vision through multiple tournaments, resisting the temptation to constantly reinvent their approach.