In Berlin, Germany’s national football team faced an unexpected setback as it finished last in the Nations League final four, which served as a stark reality check ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Expected to assert their status among Europe’s elite teams, Germany instead suffered a 2-1 defeat to Portugal in Munich and a subsequent 2-0 loss to France in Stuttgart, highlighting a significant disparity in skill levels among top teams.
These matches underscored the capabilities of Portugal, Spain—the European champions—and a formidable French side as potential favorites, alongside reigning World Cup champions Argentina, for next year’s tournament.
Julian Nagelsmann, the head coach for Germany, attempted to focus on the positives, particularly Germany’s strong first half against France, where they dominated play and created several opportunities. However, French coach Didier Deschamps had downplayed the significance of the third-place encounter, revealing which team possessed the greater drive in front of a home crowd. Kylian Mbappé’s goal before halftime and his assist for Michael Olise’s subsequent goal showcased France’s growth in determination, while Germany’s attackers were less effective by comparison.
Similarly, the match against Portugal saw the opposition turning the game in their favor with the introduction of strategic substitutes, and German goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen was essential in preventing further goals from Portugal.
Nagelsmann cited numerous injury-related absences, including Jamal Musiala, Angelo Stiller, and Kai Havertz, among others, as contributing factors. Nevertheless, France also contended with missing key players like Ousmane Dembélé and Eduardo Camavinga, and still managed to perform strongly even with an incomplete defense lineup. The depth and quality in rival teams also extended to Spain, an issue Nagelsmann acknowledged as he pointed out Spain’s youthful and talented squad, many of whom qualify for Under-21 competitions.
Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente included several young talents in the Nations League squad, showcasing a robust pipeline of players. Nagelsmann noted that Germany struggles with developing adequate depth, specifically referencing a lack of skilled wide players, a deficit in the national game for years.
He expressed the need for strategic future planning and patience, emphasizing the importance of identifying areas for improvement. Despite the current challenges, the 37-year-old coach remained optimistic about Germany’s chances in the upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign and tournament in North America next summer, urging the media to maintain a supportive stance and acknowledge the team’s progress.