Germany suffered a shocking 2-0 defeat to Slovakia in their opening World Cup qualifier, prompting coach Julian Nagelsmann to question his team’s “willingness and desire.” Nagelsmann hinted at potential squad changes, emphasizing the need for players who are fully committed to the national team. Defender Jonathan Tah echoed the coach’s concerns, acknowledging the team’s poor performance and the need for immediate improvement before their next match against Northern Ireland. The defeat marks a new low for Germany, raising questions about the team’s form, tactics, and leadership as they begin their journey to the 2026 World Cup.
Julian Nagelsmann has delivered a stinging rebuke to his Germany squad, questioning their "willingness and desire" following a stunning 2-0 defeat to Slovakia. The loss, which occurred in their opening 2026 World Cup qualifier, has sent shockwaves through German football and prompted serious introspection from the national team coach.
Goals from David Hancko and David Strelec secured a memorable victory for Slovakia in Bratislava, leaving Germany reeling. This defeat marks a new low for the four-time World champions, who have now suffered three consecutive competitive losses for the first time as a unified nation. The previous setbacks came against Portugal and France in the Nations League finals back in June, further compounding the sense of crisis surrounding the German team.
Adding insult to injury, this was Germany’s first-ever defeat in a World Cup qualifier away from home. It also represents their first loss in the opening game of a qualifying campaign, shattering a previously unblemished record. The magnitude of the defeat was not lost on Nagelsmann, who struggled to conceal his frustration after witnessing his side’s second-ever reverse by more than one goal in a World Cup qualifier. The only other instance was a humbling 5-1 loss to England in Munich 24 years ago, a result that continues to haunt German football.
"Apart from two or three injured players, these are the best quality players we have in Germany," Nagelsmann lamented. "Maybe next time, we have to call up players with less quality, but who will give everything on the pitch." His comments suggest a willingness to make drastic changes to the squad in search of players who are more committed and willing to fight for the national team.
Nagelsmann continued, "I trust my players, but being simply a better player than the opponent is not enough if you don’t show willingness and desire." He drew a comparison to a recent DFB-Pokal match where Wiesbaden, a team of significantly lower quality, almost held Bayern Munich to a draw. "Why do you think a team like Wiesbaden almost drew 2-2 with Bayern Munich [in the DFB-Pokal last week]? It’s not because they have better quality, but because they showed emotion and desire." This comparison underscores Nagelsmann's belief that passion and commitment are just as important as technical ability.
Here's a tweet highlighting the shocking statistic:
1 – Germany lost the opening game of a World Cup qualifier for the first time ever. In their 52nd away game in WC qualifiers, Germany lost for the first time ever after 41 wins and 10 draws. Reality-check. pic.twitter.com/XmZfT0Tung
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) September 4, 2025
Jonathan Tah echoed his coach's sentiments, admitting that the team's performance was unacceptable. "We lost the ball way too easily, we didn’t have control over the game," the defender said. "It was a deserved loss and a very bad performance from us today. This is not our ambition and not what we expect of ourselves." Tah acknowledged the need for immediate improvement ahead of their next match against Northern Ireland on Sunday.
"We have to be honest. It’s tough to explain the reasons now directly after the game. We have to do much better immediately in the next game," Tah concluded. The pressure is now firmly on Nagelsmann and his players to deliver a convincing performance against Northern Ireland and restore some confidence after this humiliating defeat. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether Germany can recover from this setback and get their World Cup qualifying campaign back on track.
The loss not only raises questions about the team's current form but also about the selection and tactics employed by Nagelsmann. Critics are already questioning whether he has the right formula to unlock the potential of this talented squad. The upcoming match against Northern Ireland will be a critical test of his leadership and the team's ability to respond to adversity.
Failure to secure a convincing victory could lead to further calls for change and intensify the pressure on Nagelsmann's position. The German fans, known for their high expectations, will be demanding a significant improvement in performance and a renewed sense of commitment from their national team.
Ultimately, the defeat to Slovakia serves as a wake-up call for German football. It highlights the need for a renewed focus on passion, desire, and teamwork, qualities that have been synonymous with the nation's past successes. Whether Nagelsmann can instill these qualities in his squad remains to be seen, but the road to the 2026 World Cup promises to be a challenging and closely scrutinized journey.