Julian Nagelsmann has stepped down as head coach of the German national team after an unexpected exit in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing his time in charge to a surprising conclusion.
Reports from Softfootball indicate that this move followed an emergency meeting held by the German Football Association (DFB), which lasted over three and a half hours to evaluate the national team’s lackluster performance.
The meeting reportedly ended with DFB officials pressing Nagelsmann to resign after Germany was eliminated by Paraguay in a 3-4 penalty shootout, eliminating their aspirations for a fifth World Cup title much earlier than anticipated.
In an official statement issued about 16 hours following the tough defeat, DFB President Bernd Neuendorf recognized the severity of the situation.
After such a devastating setback, and considering the challenges ahead, we cannot and will not simply return to business as usual.
Neuendorf stated.
Nagelsmann’s exit underscores the abrupt end of a tenure that began under positive expectations. Germany was considered a strong contender entering the tournament after a solid group-stage performance, but their aspirations were cut short by Paraguay in a significant upset.
