German soccer federation sees mass departures after 2026 World Cup exit

Germany’s national team was eliminated in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup by Paraguay, prompting a wave of criticism and resignations within the German Football Association (DFB). Former goalkeeper Oliver Kahn wrote on LinkedIn that the defeat reflects a deeper, recurring problem of “deficiency in attitude, responsibility and mentality,” citing the repeated failures of three recent national coaches – Joachim Löw, Hansi Flick and Julian Nagelsmann.

Following the loss, the DFB confirmed that head coach Julian Nagelsmann has resigned with immediate effect. In addition, the association announced that sport‑director Andreas Rettig will leave at the end of the year and that Nagelsmann’s three assistant coaches – Benjamin Glück, Benjamin Hübner and Alfred Schreuder – will also depart. The departures signal a complete overhaul of the DFB’s coaching and executive staff as the federation prepares for a new direction.

The resignations come amid broader calls for structural change within German football, with Kahn arguing that merely “swapping faces” does not address the underlying issues that have haunted the national team’s performances in recent World Cups.