Again, a lot of people have underestimated them
Germany has often been dismissed ahead of major tournaments. At the start of many competitions in which Germany has competed, football fans and pundits have frequently ruled them out. At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Germany was not considered the leading favourite, and many football followers expected them to reach the semi-finals at best. Instead, they went on to win the tournament.
Although the 2014 squad featured outstanding players such as Philipp Lahm, Miroslav Klose and Mesut Özil, Germany was still viewed by many as being behind the likes of Brazil in the race for the trophy. The tournament was widely tipped to be Brazil’s moment, but Germany delivered one of the most memorable results in World Cup history, inflicting Brazil’s heaviest defeat in the competition and silencing the home crowd. That tournament allowed many members of the German squad to announce themselves on the world stage, with several players subsequently securing high-profile moves to some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Germany is traditionally a team that does not always start tournaments in spectacular fashion. Their squad on paper may not always be filled with the biggest names, but they consistently perform as a collective. In recent tournaments, Germany has perhaps lost some of the aura that once made opponents fear them, with smaller nations increasingly believing they can compete on equal terms.
However, while the current German side may lack some of the global superstars of previous generations, they possess a talented squad, an excellent coach in Julian Nagelsmann, and a strong core of defenders and midfielders. Playing as a team is what makes Germany such a dangerous opponent. They have the potential to surprise many people and could reach the latter stages of the tournament, including the semi-finals, or even challenge for the World Cup itself.
If Germany starts the tournament strongly, other teams could find themselves under significant pressure. Many German supporters believe there is a strong connection and unity within the squad, qualities that could help them progress deep into the competition. Germany enters the 2026 World Cup with a realistic chance of competing for the trophy and should not be underestimated.
