Chancellor Merz's praise for eliminated Germany team draws wide political backlash after World Cup loss
A social media post by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz describing the national team as having 'inspired the country' after its World Cup loss to Paraguay provoked a storm of criticism from politicians and media outlets.
Germany's early exit
Germany, a four-time champion, was knocked out of the 2026 World Cup by underdog Paraguay in the round of 16 on 29 June. After 120 minutes of football at Foxborough, Massachusetts, the match stood at 1-1, with Paraguay prevailing in the penalty shootout following several German misses. The defeat continued a poor run at major tournaments, following group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022.
- Germany draws 1-1 with Paraguay after extra time and loses on penalties in the round of 16.
- Chancellor Merz posts on X that the team 'inspired the country'.
- Bild editor Marion Horn slams Merz, saying she is 'not proud, but angry and disappointed'.
- DFB president Neuendorf announces a review, with no immediate decision on coach Nagelsmann.
- Ex-international Sami Khedira criticises youth development and the lack of team leaders.
The chancellor's post
Shortly after the final whistle, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) published a message on X that was immediately perceived as tone-deaf by many. The post read:
Even though the elimination hurts: what a match! With your commitment and team spirit at this World Cup you have inspired our country. We are proud of you.
A day later, Merz responded to the criticism with a second post saying that Germany celebrates successes together and stands together in defeat, and that anyone wearing the national crest deserves support, not mockery.
Political and media outrage
The reaction from political opponents was swift and sarcastic. FDP MEP Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann wrote:
The AfD’s X channel drew a parallel with Merz’s CDU, saying he is now so accustomed to sugarcoating his own party’s poor performance that he simply cannot do otherwise. BSW executive committee member Sevim Dagdelen spoke of a loss of contact with reality at chancellor level, “just like in his policies.”I don’t know what was worse: the match or this analysis.
The media reaction was even sharper. Bild editor-in-chief Marion Horn published a commentary under the headline “Why Merz’s post is so devastating” and wrote that Merz, like coach Julian Nagelsmann, lives in a parallel world. She later addressed the chancellor directly on social media with:
Chancellor, that is simply not true! Second-class performance is something I do not accept. I am not proud. I am angry. I am disappointed. I am furious!
DFB's response
On 30 June, DFB president Bernd Neuendorf announced that the federation would not rush into any decisions regarding coach Julian Nagelsmann’s future. Instead, an in-depth analysis would be conducted over the coming days.
He added that the DFB cannot simply return to business as usual after such a blow. Nagelsmann himself later stated he is prepared to continue, and sporting director Völler expressed support.After the bitter defeat against Paraguay and the elimination from the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, I sat down with coach Nagelsmann and the sporting management around Andreas Rettig and Rudi Völler for a longer discussion. We all agree that the performance at the World Cup does not meet our standards.
Structural criticism
Former German international Sami Khedira described himself as “shocked” by the exit, calling it the reckoning for the last few years. In a podcast, Khedira stressed that the team lacks the leaders it once had and pointed to a broader issue with youth development.
He added that against a combative Paraguay side the old virtues of passion and the hunger to push oneself to the limit were missing.We must not wrap players and children in cotton wool and say that winning is no longer important and only perfect technique counts. At the absolute top level you need the combination of mentality, leadership qualities and, of course, technique, passing and finishing abilities.
Khedira also noted that neither individual players nor the coach alone were responsible, though coach Nagelsmann bears part of the blame.
