Nagelsmann faces three-hour crisis talks after Germany's third straight World Cup exit

Julian Nagelsmann sat through a three-hour crisis meeting at the German football federation’s headquarters on Thursday, facing questions over his leadership after Germany were eliminated from the World Cup in the round of 32 by Paraguay on penalties.

The meeting, reported by Bild, covered tactical misjudgments and the atmosphere at Germany’s team camp in Winston-Salem, which has drawn heavy criticism since the tournament ended. Nagelsmann’s future remains uncertain, with federation president Bernd Neuendorf and others reportedly urging him to resign. A decision is expected within days.

Nagelsmann, 38, holds a contract through the 2028 European Championship, and he publicly vowed to remain in the job immediately after the Paraguay defeat. But Neuendorf struck a different tone the following day, saying the federation would “calmly look at the reasons why the team was unable to realize its potential” and that “after such a crushing blow, we cannot and do not wish to simply return to business as usual.”

The exit was Germany’s third in a row at the World Cup — a damaging run for a nation that considers itself a perennial title contender and has won the tournament four times. The pressure was amplified by Nagelsmann himself, who had publicly declared Germany’s goal was to win the World Cup.

Their campaign told a different story. Germany beat tournament debutant Curaçao, then required late goals from Deniz Undav to edge past Ivory Coast, before losing their final group game to Ecuador and ultimately falling to Paraguay in the shootout.

The manner of the penalty exit drew particular scrutiny. Before the shootout, several German players declined captain Joshua Kimmich’s request to take a spot kick, suggesting the scenario had not been prepared for. Defender Jonathan Tah stepped up but missed the decisive penalty.

“I’ve replayed that missed penalty in my mind thousands of times, trying to somehow steer the ball into the net in my thoughts,” Tah wrote on Instagram. “The reality is that the ball didn’t go in. And that hurts. But one thing is certain — I would take it again.”

Beyond the shootout, Nagelsmann faced broader criticism at home for contentious selection decisions, contradictory messaging, and a series of irritable media appearances that did little to ease public frustration.