Four-time world champions Germany are already facing an uphill battle to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a shock 2-0 defeat against Slovakia in their opening qualification match on Thursday.
Four-time world champions Germany are already facing an uphill battle to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a shock 2-0 defeat against Slovakia in their opening qualification match on Thursday.
Goals from David Hancko and David Strelec condemned Die Mannschaft to their first ever away loss in a World Cup qualifier and their third successive defeat in all competitions under head coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Germany previously suffered defeats on home soil to both Portugal and France in the UEFA Nations League in June, losing 2-1 to the former in the semi-finals and 2-0 to the latter in a third-place playoff.
Nagelsmann has won just 12 of his 24 games (D6 L6) as Germany boss since taking the reins two years ago, winning just one of his last six matches in all competitions over the last 10 months.
Failure to turn his team’s poor run of form around could have significant consequences for Germany and their World Cup ambitions at next summer’s tournament held in Canada, Mexico and the United States next summer.
Poor form could cost Germany a Pot 1 spot in World Cup draw
The newly-expanded World Cup will include 48 teams split into 12 groups of four, with the draw to be held in December once the qualification process has concluded.
The nine best-ranked qualifying nations, plus host nations Canada, Mexico and USA, will all be placed in Pot 1 for the draw.
Germany are currently ranked ninth in the world, but their poor run of form has put them in danger of slipping out of the top nine in the FIFA standings.
Croatia sit one place below Germany in 10th and could soon overtake Nagelsmann’s side having won three of their last four international matches.
Italy and Morocco occupy the two places below Croatia and are also in contention to sneak into the top nine before December’s World Cup draw if they put together strong runs of form.
Should Germany qualify for the World Cup but slip out of the top nine, they will be placed into Pot 2 for the group-stage draw and could therefore be presented with a more challenging set to fixtures.
Nagelsmann threatens to drop Germany stars for Northern Ireland clash
Germany will endeavour to return to winning ways in Group D of World Cup qualifying when they play host to Northern Ireland in Koln on Sunday, and ahead of that fixture, Nagelsmann has threatened to drop some of his established first-team players.
“Apart from two to three injured players, these are the best quality players we have in Germany. Maybe next time we have to call up players with less quality but who will give everything on the pitch,” Nagelsmann told reporters after his team’s loss to Slovakia.
“In terms of emotions, the opponents were miles ahead of us. We want to go to the World Cup, but today we were miles away from that. The first five minutes of the second half were a bit brighter, but the rest was pretty grim.
“I trust my team, but they have to understand that simply being a better player than the opponent is not enough if you don’t show willingness and desire. You won’t get results with the handbrake on.”
Die Mannschaft have won each of their last nine international games against Northern Ireland, including a thumping 6-1 home victory in their most recent meeting in European Championship qualifying in November 2019.
ID:580912:1false2false3false: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4728: 
No Data Analysis info