Germany's World Cup goal meets a reality check

Germany's bid for the 2026 World Cup under Julian Nagelsmann has begun with setbacks, but the mix of new talent and high ambition keeps their path wide open

- By Krita Coelho

Germany have made their intentions clear: the 2026 World Cup isn't about rebuilding, it's about competing to win.

Julian Nagelsmann has said it outright, setting a high bar for a team still shaping its identity. The 2-0 qualifying defeat to Slovakia on September 4, wasn't the start they hoped for, but it also doesn't close the door on that ambition. Instead, it throws light on the fine balance between transition and expectation.

Nagelsmann had promised boldness. "The World Cup title next year is our goal," he said before the qualifiers, framing Germany not as outsiders but as contenders. He acted on that conviction, calling up three newcomers, Finn Dahmen, Nnamdi Collins and Paul Nebel, while leaving out veterans such as Leroy Sané. It was a clear sign of generational change, one rooted in energy and long-term planning. "We are all convinced that this is the right squad," he said.

The Slovakia result provided a reminder that transitions rarely run smooth. Germany conceded twice, lacked sharpness in decisive moments, and recorded their first ever away defeat in World Cup qualifying. For critics, it echoed past disappointments. For Nagelsmann, it underlined the need to adjust. "We lacked commitment and emotionality," he admitted, adding that rotations and fresh combinations would follow in the next match.