Germany manager Nagelsmann will not quit after World Cup exit

By Oliver Harrington — 30 June 2026 — 3 min read

Julian Nagelsmann has stated he will not resign from his position as Germany head coach following the team’s elimination from the World Cup at the last 32 stage. The defeat came at the hands of Paraguay after a penalty shootout in Boston.

Nagelsmann expressed his intention to continue, saying, “I am not someone who runs away.” He acknowledged that some aspects of the team’s performance needed to change but affirmed his commitment if the German Football Association (DFB) wished for him to remain. He noted the mechanics of football and the industry, anticipating that many would want him to leave.

World Cup exit details

Germany’s campaign ended after a 1-1 draw with Paraguay through both normal and extra-time. Paraguay initially took the lead with a header from Julio Enciso before half-time. Germany equalised in the 54th minute when Florian Wirtz provided a flighted delivery that Kai Havertz converted with a header.

During extra-time, a goal by Jonathan Tah from a Germany corner was disallowed after a VAR review, leading to a penalty shootout. Paraguay ultimately secured a 4-3 victory in the shootout, advancing to the last 16. This marks the third successive World Cup in which Germany has failed to progress beyond the last 16.

Nagelsmann reflected on the team’s performance, stating, “We haven’t really done much in this tournament to make people celebrate.” He described the exit as “very bitter” and “very hurtful,” particularly given the opponent. He also mentioned that his German FA bosses had spoken to him gently and comforted him, but had not discussed a contract extension immediately after the defeat.

The German manager has overseen two tournaments in three years, with a combined total of one knockout round victory, which was against Denmark at their home Euros. He acknowledged that public opinion in Germany might not be positive about him at this time.

Paraguay’s progression

For Paraguay, the victory was a significant achievement. Their president declared the day a national holiday. Paraguayan journalists celebrated the winning penalty, and head coach Gustavo Alfaro praised his “26 warriors,” speaking at length about the growth of the sporting nation and the importance of football as a source of happiness and collectivism.

Paraguay will now proceed to face either France or Sweden in the last 16. This upcoming match is scheduled for 4 July, Independence Day, in Philadelphia.

The defeat for Germany saw a continuation of a challenging period for the national team in World Cups. Since their victory in the 2014 final, Germany has been eliminated by teams including Mexico, South Korea, Japan, Ecuador, and now Paraguay, either in regular time or via penalties. This series of results has challenged the traditional perception of Germany’s performance in major tournaments.

The team had previously faced Ecuador in their final group game, suffering a defeat before heading to Boston to play Paraguay, who had finished third in Group D behind the US and Australia. The match against Paraguay was described as difficult, with Paraguay employing an “ultra-defensive” strategy.

Nagelsmann’s decision-making during the tournament has been questioned, including his faith in certain players and the benching of others. The German squad also faced challenges with injuries to Lennart Karl and Serge Gnabry before the tournament began. The manager’s assessment is that the team did not give enough during the match against Paraguay, and not scoring many goals was ultimately insufficient.

Source: theguardian.com