FIFA World Cup 2026: Germany won't return to 'business as usual' after early exit, says DFB President
Boston, June 30
German Football Association President Bernd Neuendorf said the federation will conduct a thorough review to understand why Germany failed to meet its potential and the expectations of the football community following the team's shock exit in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32, adding that the team "will not simply return to business as usual," as per Reuters.
Four-time World Cup champions suffered their first-ever FIFA World Cup elimination in a penalty shootout against Paraguay in the Round of 32 clash on Monday. The scores were level at 1-1 heading into the extra time, and Germany thought they had secured a place in the Round of 16 when Jonathan Tah headed home from a corner in the 101st minute of extra time.
However, following a VAR review, referee Jalal Jayed disallowed the goal after ruling that Germany defender Waldemar Anton had impeded Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill in the build-up. The match went to penalties, where Paraguay came out on top 5-3, continuing Germany's woes at the big tournaments after the 2014 FIFA World Cup win.
After Germany's World Cup exit, Bernd Neuendorf said the federation would review the reasons behind the team's failure to live up to expectations, stressing that such a disappointing elimination cannot be followed by "business as usual" and that changes will be necessary moving forward.
"In the coming days, we will calmly examine the reasons why the team was unable to realise its potential and failed to meet both its own expectations and those of the German football community," Deutscher Fussball-Bund (DFB) President Bernd Neuendorf said in a statement as quoted by Reuters.
"After such a crushing blow, we cannot and will not simply return to business as usual as we look toward the tasks ahead," he added.
Neuendorf, who has led the DFB since 2022, has overseen two successive early World Cup exits as well as Germany's quarter-final elimination at Euro 2024 on home soil.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Sir, with due respect to Germany's football legacy, this is what happens when you rely too much on possession-based tiki-taka without a proper number 9. Even India's smaller teams know you need a finisher. Their defenders are decent (love Tah) but midfield lacks creativity since Kroos retired. And Neuendorf's statement sounds like damage control—they said same thing after 2018 and 2022. Changes? Let's see if they actually follow through this time. 🙏
Tough break for Germany, but Paraguay deserved it. They held their nerve in penalties, which is something you can't coach. As someone who follows both European and South American football, I've noticed Germany's mentality in big games has been shaky since 2014. Neuendorf is right to not let this slide, but I hope the review is honest and not just a PR exercise. Also, that VAR call was technically correct, even if it felt cruel.
As a neutral, this was a thrilling match! But Germany's decline is worrying for the sport. They were once the gold standard of efficiency—now they're just average. Neuendorf's comment "cannot simply return to business as usual" is exactly what they said in 2018. Nothing changed then. Hopefully this time they actually overhaul the youth academies and scouting. India can learn from their mistakes too—we need strong systems, not just flashy foreign coaches. 🇮🇳🇩🇪
I know this is about Germany, but can we talk about Paraguay? They played with such heart and discipline. Makes me think about how India could learn from smaller football nations—we don't have the population excuse forever. Anyway, Germany needs to look at their coaching setup and player development. Being stuck in the past won't help. Neuendorf should also consider stepping down if this trend continues. Time for fresh leadership!