Story by
Germany used to own the World Cup. Now it can't escape disaster.
- Story by
- Germany used to own the World Cup. Now it can't escape disaster.
For a fleeting moment in extra time, powered by Jonathan Tah's header into the back of the Paraguayan net, it looked as though Germany was surely through to the 2026 World Cup 's round of 16.
But a VAR reversal — and Tah's shootout miss minutes later — sent Germany out of the 2026 tournament in the round of 32 following a 4-3 loss on penalties to Paraguay.
Advertisement
The defeat was Germany's first in a World Cup penalty shootout. The country was previously 4-0 in World Cup games decided by penalties.
It's another entry in Germany's string of failures.
Across the 2018, 2022 and 2026 World Cups, Germany tallied two group stage exits and a round of 32 finish to its name. In 10 matches from 2018 to 2026, it could only muster a pedestrian 4W-2D-4L record.
From 2002 to 2014, Germany won at least five matches in each tournament. And in 2014, it toppled Lionel Messi and Argentina to win the World Cup.
Its run of success goes back even further.
For 60 years from 1954 to 2014, the German Mannschaft was a hallmark of excellence on the World Cup stage. Across the 16 tournaments of those 60 years, Germany won four and never failed to finish among the top 8.
Advertisement
In fact, just once over those 16 World Cups did Germany fail to make the semifinals in back-to-back tournaments (in 1994 and 1998). The other two times it missed out on the semifinals, Germany made it back the next go round.
Ultimately, during those 60 years, failure meant a loss in the quarterfinals.
Now, its recent back-to-back group stage exits put it on par with the likes of Tunisia and Saudi Arabia — countries that entered the 2026 World Cup ranked outside the top 40 of FIFA's world rankings from June 11. And its round of 32 finish equals South Africa — ranked No. 60 in those FIFA rankings.
This means that among the eight countries with a world title to its name, Germany's poor recent form is rivaled only by Italy, which has failed to qualify for three straight World Cups.
Advertisement
Where does Germany go from here? For one of soccer's formerly formidable nations, this streak hits like rock bottom. So, hopefully for the once great team and its country of 80 million, the answer is only up.
Methodology note: Germany World Cup results from Transfermarkt . Top 32 includes group stage exits in 2018 and 2022 and a round of 32 exit in 2026. Top 8 includes quarterfinal finishes plus the second group stage in 1978.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Germany used to own the World Cup. Now it can't escape disaster.
