Four-time world champions Germany have crashed out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, losing 3-2 on penalties to Paraguay in the Round of 32. However, an unprecedented internal controversy is now overshadowing their exit.
According to reports, four German players refused to take a crucial sudden-death penalty after the shootout was tied at 3-3. This forced defender Jonathan Tah to step up for the first penalty kick of his professional career, resulting in a disastrous miss that sealed Germany's fate.
Germany started the tournament strong, thrashing Curacao 7-1. But after a hard-fought win against Ivory Coast, weaknesses in Julian Nagelsmann’s squad emerged, culminating in a 2-1 loss to Ecuador in their final group match.
Against Paraguay, a brilliant extra-time header from Tah was disallowed by VAR, leaving the match tied at 1-1. The game went to a shootout. When the first five shots ended level, the match moved to sudden death. According to the German newspaper Bild, Leon Goretzka, Waldemar Anton, Nathaniel Brown, and Malik Thiaw lacked the confidence to take the high-pressure kick and refused.
The most shocking refusal came from Goretzka. Despite having 72 international caps, the veteran midfielder—who recently left Bayern Munich—rejected captain Joshua Kimmich’s requests to take the shot twice.
With his teammates backing down, Tah reluctantly took the responsibility. His inexperience showed as he missed the target, sparking Paraguayan celebrations and leaving the German players in tears.
Shootout misses by Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade, and Tah ultimately sealed Germany's elimination. This marks the third consecutive World Cup where the former football superpower has failed to reach the Last 16.
