Germany after the 1‑1 draw with Paraguay – Thon speaks plainly

Germany finished its World Cup opener on 29 June 2026 with a 1‑1 draw against Paraguay, but the result was just the tip of the iceberg. Former international Olaf Thon told fans at a public‑viewing in Essen‑Rüttenscheid that the early exit stemmed from goalkeeper errors, weak attacking options and a lack of youth development.

Why was the match a disaster?

Thon highlighted that Germany held 80 % possession yet failed to secure victory. “Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was replaced by Oliver Baumann because he couldn’t cope under heavy pressure,” he criticized. On the right flank the usual Kimmich presence was missing, and up front there was no Gerd Müller‑type striker. Musiala, still not fully recovered from injury, also did not show his best form.

What does this mean for German football?

The former 1990 World Cup champion sees the failure as a symptom of a deeper crisis. “Fans are devastated, the whole country feels the loss,” Thon said. He noted that for years no central or wing forwards have been specifically trained. Even coach Julian Nagelsmann tried everything, but without the needed luck.

What steps are required?

Thon calls for a complete restart: a new national coach, revamped youth programs and fresh faces on the coaching staff. He cites Berti Vogts as an example, who turned a disastrous 1994 World Cup into an Euro‑title win. Whether Jürgen Klopp or another manager will lead the next era remains unclear, but Thon urges giving young talents like Said El Mala or the injured Lennart Karl more trust.

What’s next?

Germany’s recent form over the last five matches stands at three wins, one draw and one loss (DLWWW), keeping them in contention. The next fixture is an away game against the Netherlands on 24 September 2026. A clear win there could restore confidence and pave the way for the next round.

Outlook for the future

Thon concludes with a plea: “We need not only a new coach but a complete overall concept that runs from the grassroots to the senior team.” Without structural changes, the German national side will continue to risk early exits at future tournaments.