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Germany legend blames WAGs for shocking World Cup upset: ‘Free family day’
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- Germany legend blames WAGs for shocking World Cup upset: ‘Free family day’
Germany legend
Germany legend Lothar Matthäus ripped the German team after they were stunned by Paraguay in penalty kicks in the World Cup at Boston Stadium on Monday.
During an interview with Bild, a German newspaper, the former Bayern Munich midfielder said that German players weren't focused and treated the 2026 World Cup as a "free family" trip to America.
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"There's a lot to process, both on and off the pitch. Wives, families, everyone was involved. Lots of headlines," said Matthäus, who captained West Germany to a win over Italy to secure the FIFA World Cup in 1990, per The Sun.
Lothar Matthäus looks on during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and 1. FC Köln at Allianz Arena on May 16, 2026 in Munich, Germany. Getty Images
Matthäus, who won 150 caps for Germany, claimed there was "a lot of unrest" within the team due to travel plans for their families.
"I don't know why you have to involve all the families right from the start," he said. "Then it's about travel options, about hotel bookings. That was all a topic within the team. It never appeared in the media, but I know it was a topic of discussion.
Germany goalkeeper Oliver Baumann #12 with his wife Charlotte Baumann following the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Ecuador and Germany at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 25 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Getty Images
"One player was angry with another because one player's mother was allowed to fly along, while another's wife and children were allowed to fly. The others had to take a commercial flight."
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"Ultimately, there was a lot of unrest, which didn't come across. But despite all that, the focus simply wasn't on this World Cup. It was always a free family day and another free family day.
Joshua Kimmich, Waldemar Anton, Nathaniel Brown, Malick Thiaw, Leon Goretzka, Nick Woltemade, Nadiem Amiri and Kai Havertz of Germany look dejected during the penalty shootout of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match against Paraguay at Boston Stadium on June 29, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Getty Images
"They weren't even in America for two weeks and already all their families were there again. They can fly in for the quarter-finals if the team has achieved something."
Anika Neuer , wife of Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer attended the Round of 32 match in Foxborough, Mass.
More coverage on the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Anika Neuer, wife of Manuel Neuer of Germany is seen during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between against Paraguay at Boston Stadium on June 29, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Getty Images
Fellow goalkeeper Oliver Baumann and his wife were seen together in the stands after Germany's 2-1 Group E loss to Ecuador at New York New Jersey Stadium on Thursday.
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Germany, a four-time World Cup champion, had never before lost a World Cup penalty shootout until Monday's defeat by Paraguay .
Paraguay and France will face off in the Round of 16 Saturday at Philadelphia Stadium.
