Overview
- Germany were knocked out of the World Cup after losing a penalty shootout to Paraguay in the Sechzehntelfinale, ending their tournament run and prompting immediate national outcry.
- Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann has come under intense criticism for selection choices, limited player communication, and camp management, and his future with the DFB is now uncertain.
- Nick Woltemade missed one of the decisive penalties after limited playing time at the tournament, a sequence critics link to coaching decisions that may have undermined his confidence.
- The knockout round continued elsewhere as the United States beat Bosnia 2:0 despite Folarin Balogun receiving a controversial red card and Belgium advanced after a late comeback and a stoppage-time penalty.
- Off-field issues are also prominent: US authorities reported more than 1,100 drone detections with over 500 seizures at match venues, a DR Congo coach was told of his father’s death after his team’s exit, and former players and officials are demanding wider structural reform at the DFB.