Overview
- Germany were knocked out of the 2026 World Cup by Paraguay in the Round of 32 after a penalty shootout, marking the first World Cup shootout defeat in the nation's history.
- Lothar Matthäus told Bild that players' wives, girlfriends and wider family presence turned preparation into a 'free family' atmosphere and undermined the squad's focus.
- Matthäus said the family presence caused 'a lot of unrest' because of inconsistent travel and hotel arrangements, including claims some relatives flew on the team plane while others used commercial flights.
- He has publicly called for the immediate dismissal of national coach Julian Nagelsmann, a demand reported widely in tabloid coverage but not independently confirmed by the team or the DFB.
- Matthäus compared the situation to Germany's 1994 World Cup issues, and the episode has widened media debate about off-field rules, squad discipline and how the DFB manages family access at major tournaments.