A Different Diagnosis From Nagelsmann

Germany’s poor start in the World Cup 2026 qualifiers continues to spark debate. After the 2-0 loss to Slovakia, coach Julian Nagelsmann pointed to a lack of attitude as the main problem, but Toni Kroos offered a very different take on his podcast Einfach mal Luppen.

For the 2014 World Cup champion, the issue is not commitment, but rather quality and confidence. “There’s a lack of conviction, of self-understanding, and of two or three players that others can rely on—players with that aura of ‘we’ll sort this out,’” explained the midfielder, highlighting the absence of true leaders on the pitch.

Insecurity as the Enemy

Kroos stressed that the lack of automatisms and cohesion is hurting Germany’s performances. “That’s limiting. I would never say that anyone doesn’t want to play these matches,” he said, rejecting the idea that effort is the team’s biggest problem.

In contrast, Nagelsmann was much harsher in his assessment: “We had no passion. We lost everything there was to lose.” The coach even hinted that in the future he may prioritize commitment over individual talent, convinced that such an attitude would have produced a better result in Bratislava.

What Can Germany Expect?

Beyond the defeat, Kroos remained calm about Germany qualifying for the World Cup, but he was realistic about their short-term ambitions. “Right now we are light years away, and we are simply not good. Germany is far from being able to talk about a world title,” he admitted, though he left the door open for improvement in the months ahead.

To illustrate, he drew on his experience at Real Madrid: “Many times in September or October I heard that we weren’t favorites to win the Champions League. And by May the situation was very different.” A message that combines criticism with hope that Germany can find its path before the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.