Mumbai: During most of the discussion, Oliver Kahn took a brief moment to gather his thoughts before responding.
Event Context
A pressing question arises regarding Germany’s performance at the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. After securing their fourth world title in 2014, Germany faced disappointing outcomes in the subsequent tournaments, failing to advance past the group stage in 2018 and 2022, and experiencing an early elimination in the Round of 32 this year after a penalty shootout loss to Paraguay.
Oliver Kahn, the celebrated former goalkeeper and captain of the 2002 World Cup team that was defeated by Brazil in the final, remarked, ‘We must be absolutely clear – in the last three World Cups, Germany didn’t play any role at all.’
Germany’s World Cup journey commenced with a commanding 7-1 victory over World Cup newcomers Curacao. However, they faced challenges in their next matches, narrowly winning 2-1 against Ivory Coast and suffering a 2-1 defeat to Ecuador in their final group stage encounter. The team’s campaign ended with a heart-wrenching loss to Paraguay, after a 1-1 draw following extra time.
This performance extended an unwanted trend, as Germany has now gone 10 consecutive World Cup matches without keeping a clean sheet, with their last shutout occurring during the 1-0 victory over Argentina in the 2014 final. Over two weeks have passed since their World Cup exit, and the team has begun to regroup. Head coach Julian Nagelsmann has stepped down, with Jurgen Klopp as a potential successor.
Kahn emphasized that Germany’s issues run deeper than merely replacing the coach. ‘What happens again and again is that people say, ‘oh, we have to change the coach,’’ Kahn told select media in India, where he is serving as an expert panelist for Zee5. ‘We changed Joachim Low after the 2018 World Cup – he led the team to win in 2014 – then Hansi Flick in 2022, and now Nagelsmann. But changing the coach is not the solution.’
Player Focus
“We need to consider a crucial question: what type of players do we want to develop and nurture over the next decade?” Kahn expressed frustration over the lack of accountability during Germany’s penalty shootout loss to Paraguay, which ended 3-4. He noted, “In the tense moments of the shootout, Joshua Kimmich, our captain, was looking for players willing to take the shot. The essence of the German mentality is not to shy away but to embrace the responsibility for one’s country. This is where we must reflect, explore innovative approaches, and implement new strategies.” Kahn also pointed out the abundance of talent on the team, mentioning players like Kai Havertz, Florian Wirtz, and Jamal Musiala. However, he raised a crucial question: “Do we have players willing to give their all for the team? Are there individuals ready to assume responsibility when it matters most?”
Team Analysis
During the penalty shootout, Kimmich was observed urging several seasoned teammates to volunteer for the penalty kicks. However, when they showed reluctance, center-back Jonathan Tah, who had no prior experience taking penalties in competitive matches, stepped up but unfortunately sent the ball soaring over the crossbar.
Match Outlook
We possess a strong foundation in football education and have skilled coaches. However, our focus should shift towards developing the right mentality crucial for success in major tournaments. This is the key issue at hand, rather than searching for the next potential hero.
