DOHA, June 30, 2026. Joshua Kimmich offered no excuses and no consolation as Germany’s World Cup campaign crumbled in the Round of 32, admitting the four time champions “fully deserved” their elimination at the hands of Paraguay.
The midfielder’s damning assessment laid bare the shortcomings of a team that arrived with lofty ambitions but departed with their reputation in tatters following a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat after a 1-1 draw. For Kimmich, the outcome was simply the logical conclusion of a tournament defined by underperformance rather than misfortune.
“It feels awful,” Kimmich said in the mixed zone. “We didn’t play well against any opponent. On three occasions we had major problems against teams that are not world class. That’s a fact.”
The admission cut to the heart of Germany’s malaise. Their campaign had begun with deceptive promise, a 7-1 demolition of Curacao that raised expectations of a deep run. Yet that performance proved an anomaly rather than a statement of intent. Germany required a stoppage time winner from Deniz Undav to edge past Ivory Coast 2-1 in their second group fixture, before Ecuador claimed a deserved 2-1 victory in the final group stage match. The warning signs were evident, but the response never materialised.
“We fully deserved to be eliminated,” Kimmich added, his candour leaving no room for ambiguity.
Players accept responsibility
The Bayern Munich star was equally forthright when addressing the broader implications of Germany’s failure, insisting the players alone bore responsibility for letting down a nation that expects excellence on the global stage. He rejected any suggestion of external factors, be it coaching decisions, media scrutiny or officiating as mitigating circumstances.
“We’re playing here to make Germany proud,” he said. “As a kid, I used to watch Germany always reaching the semi finals, the finals. We couldn’t give that experience to the people watching us from home. I think right now the people in Germany need something to be proud of, but unfortunately it’s not this national team.”
The 31 year old’s words carried the weight of a player who understands the burden of German football’s history. In a tournament where Paraguay held their nerve from the penalty spot while his own side missed three times, Kimmich’s honesty reflected a squad that recognised its own failings without deflection.
“As players on the field, we messed up and we’re taking responsibility,” he said. “The blame isn’t on the coach, not the media, not the referee, not the opponent. It was just us.”
Reporting by Azuka for Betandsured.com
