Germany news

A modern classic: Germany’s 2026 World Cup kit echoes legendary past victories.

We share three key predictions for the highly-anticipated World Cup 2026 second fixture of the first knockout round between Germany and Paraguay.

Kai Havertz has issued a defiant response to Gary Lineker after the England legend labeled the current German squad as "one of the weakest" in the nation’s history. The Arsenal forward insisted that Julian Nagelsmann’s side are blocking out the noise as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup knockout rounds in the United States.

The group stage of the 2026 World Cup came to a dramatic conclusion on Saturday, as Austria scored a 96th-minute equaliser against Algeria to qualify for the knockout stage while simultaneously eliminating Iran, who had been set to progress as one of the tournament's third-placed finishers. Elsewhere, Lionel Messi came off the bench to help Argentina maintain their 100 percent winning record with a 3-1 victory over Jordan and, in doing so, the No.10 extended his record-breaking goals tally at the finals to 19.

Four nations made debuts at the 2026 World Cup, with Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan gracing the grandest stage in international football for the first time. It is the tournament with the most newcomers since 2006 and Cape Verde have achieved the feat of ending a 16-year wait for a debutant to reach the knockout stages, with the African nation to face Lionel Messi's Argentina on Friday.

Comprehensive match preview of Germany vs Paraguay at World Cup 2026. We talk tactics, team news and more ahead of this round of 32 clash in Massachusetts.

Germany legend Toni Kroos has pulled no punches in his assessment of the national team following their underwhelming group-stage conclusion. The 2014 World Cup winner warned that Julian Nagelsmann's side face an immediate exit in the knockout rounds unless they urgently address glaring defensive vulnerabilities and recover the form of their talismanic players.

Julian Nagelsmann has thrown his support behind Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz after their disappointing display in Germany's defeat to Ecuador. The head coach insists the creative duo will keep his faith ahead of Monday's last-32 clash and believes both players are close to rediscovering their best form.

Manuel Neuer has refused to accept responsibility for Germany's decisive goal in a 2-1 defeat to Ecuador, despite heavy criticism from the media and former players. The Bayern Munich star defended his positioning, while Julian Nagelsmann backed his goalkeeper as questions over Germany's No.1 intensified.

Germany legend Lothar Matthaus has launched a scathing critique of Julian Nagelsmann's tactical setup following the national team's bitter World Cup setback against Ecuador. The iconic former captain vehemently argued that current skipper Joshua Kimmich is being severely restricted by his controversial deployment in the right-back role.

Jurgen Klopp has delivered a scathing assessment of Germany's tactical approach following their unexpected 2-1 World Cup defeat against Ecuador. The former Liverpool manager warned that Die Mannschaft will not coast through the knockout rounds unless they dramatically alter their current playing style and psychological application.

Germany striker Deniz Undav has issued a rallying cry to his team-mates, insisting his team-mates must become more "nasty" to survive in the World Cup knockout rounds. The Stuttgart forward’s assessment comes in the wake of a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Ecuador, a result that has sparked a difference in opinion between the playing squad and manager Julian Nagelsmann.

Ecuador secured their place in the World Cup knockout stage in spectacular fashion after staging a dramatic comeback victory over Group E winners Germany in New Jersey. Despite failing to score in their opening two fixtures, the South Americans showcased their immense resilience to overcome a controversial early goal and book a historic spot.