Germany returns from Winston‑Salem – result and mood

The German national team landed on July 1 2026 in Winston‑Salem after a 1‑1 draw with Paraguay decided by penalties (2026‑06‑29) and a two‑hour delay. The atmosphere in the team base was low, the players left the aircraft with downcast heads.

What happened in Winston‑Salem?

After a late departure from Bedford, 23 km northwest of Boston, the DFB convoy arrived at 1 a.m. On the Airbus A220 stepped out DFB president Bernd Neuendorf, Andreas Rettig, Rudi Völler with his wife Sabrina, coach Julian Nagelsmann and his staff. The first player to disembark was Jamal Musiala. Family members – including Nagelsmann’s wife Lena, his mother Burgi, as well as the partners of Manuel Neuer and Joshua Kimmich – accompanied the return.

How does the exit affect the future?

The early knockout in the round of 16 leaves the coaching position in question. Rudi Völler stressed after the match that he "still sees Julian Nagelsmann as a top‑coach" and that a decision will be made in the next few days. In the last five games the side posted a record of 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss (DLWWW), which does not completely shake confidence in the staff but raises expectations.

What comes next?

A press conference is scheduled for Tuesday at the Wake Forest University media centre, where journalists will ask about the World Cup performance and the future direction. Players may leave immediately, while the next internationals in September’s Nations League await. The first match is an away fixture against the Netherlands on September 24 2026.

What lessons does the team draw?

The defeat showed that the defence, even with Manuel Neuer, cannot hold when the game goes to extra time. At the same time, Jamal Musiala has confirmed his attacking qualities in recent outings, offering a glimmer of hope for upcoming games. The coming months will be crucial to reshape the squad and win back fan trust.