Germany and Netherlands eliminated as FIFA's expanded World Cup format claims its biggest victims

Germany and the Netherlands have become the highest-profile casualties of the expanded 48-team World Cup format, both eliminated in the new round of 32 after penalty shootout defeats to Paraguay and Morocco respectively.

Under the previous 32-team structure, both nations would have advanced comfortably to the last 16 having finished top of their groups. Instead, the revamped format — which introduces 12 groups and a brand-new round of 32 featuring the eight best third-placed sides — placed them against opponents who had scraped through as group-stage survivors.

Paraguay, one of those third-placed qualifiers, handed Germany their first-ever penalty shootout defeat at a World Cup. Julio Enciso broke the deadlock against the run of play in the first half before Kai Havertz equalised shortly after the interval. Jonathan Tah had a header ruled out in extra time following a VAR review, and the Bayern Munich centre-back then blazed the decisive penalty over the bar, allowing Jose Canale to seal a 4-3 shootout victory for Paraguay.

The Netherlands’ exit was equally painful. Morocco’s Ismael Saibari slotted home the winning spot-kick after a tense shootout littered with misses and fine saves at both ends.

The tournament’s expansion — which now stretches beyond five weeks with the final scheduled for July 19 — has divided opinion sharply. Supporters argue it opens the door for nations such as Wales and Scotland, and the tournament has already seen Cape Verde become the smallest country ever to reach the knockout rounds. Critics, however, point to a dilution of quality and reduced stakes in the group stage, where teams can advance despite losing twice.

Even a manager who benefited from the new format has voiced his displeasure. Ghana boss Carlos Queiroz, whose side progressed as a third-placed qualifier, branded the expanded structure “vulgar and ordinary.”

The round of 32 continues this week, with England facing DR Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday.