Germany Urges Letting Go Of Past World Cup Disappointments To Focus On 2026 Campaign

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Joshua Kimmich says Germany accept that recent World Cup failures have changed outside expectations, yet insists the squad must ignore past setbacks to perform well at this year’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, where Germany face Curacao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador in Group E, starting on June 14.

Germany’s captain also stresses that fear cannot shape their approach after early exits in 2018 and 2022. Kimmich believes confidence will return only if Julian Nagelsmann’s team reach the tournament with a settled squad, strong fitness and a clear focus on immediate tasks rather than distant worries about the World Cup.

Kimmich accepts that supporters and analysts still discuss the last two tournaments, but urges a different mindset inside the camp. "We are not among the top favourites because we have not delivered in recent tournaments," Kimmich told reporters on Tuesday. "But when it starts, no one will be interested in what happened four or eight years ago."

Germany’s recent record explains that sober assessment. After lifting a fourth title in Brazil 12 years ago, they went out bottom of a group with Sweden, Mexico and South Korea in 2018. Four years later, Germany again failed to escape the group, finishing behind Spain and Japan while sharing a section with Costa Rica.

Nagelsmann’s side now try to rebuild confidence through a run of friendlies. Germany meet Switzerland and Ghana this month, then face Finland and the USA after the club season ends. Kimmich says that schedule shapes their priorities. "We have to concentrate on what is imminent," Kimmich added."We can’t concentrate on the World Cup yet, and by then the squad will perhaps look a little different again. It is important to put in two positive games."

Kimmich underlines the need for a full-strength group heading into the World Cup. "We need everyone to be healthy and readyto get into good shape. The most important thing is that we have all men on board. We have the chance to grow even better together." That view reflects Germany’s plan to blend experienced leaders with emerging talents during this preparation phase.

Germany World Cup group and match schedule

Germany already know their path in the group stage. Curacao are first opponents on June 14, with Ivory Coast and Ecuador also in Group E. Germany’s staff view the section as competitive rather than straightforward, given Ivory Coast’s physical style, Ecuador’s high-intensity approach and the unknown factor surrounding tournament debutants Curacao.

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Germany World Cup squad places and young Bayern talents

The latest Germany squad includes two uncapped Bayern Munich players, Jonas Urbig and Lennart Karl, as Nagelsmann assesses options before final World Cup selection. Karl is expected to make a first senior appearance against Switzerland on Friday, rewarding a season in which Karl has recorded eight goals and five assists in all competitions.

Those 13 direct goal involvements underline Karl’s progress at club level. Across Europe’s top five leagues, only Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, born in 2007 or later, has more contributions, with 21 goals and 15 assists. Kimmich sees personality as well as statistics. "He is someone who goes onto the pitch and is very, very brave," Kimmich said of Karl.

Kimmich values that attitude within Germany’s World Cup plans. "That is something I always love as a player or team-mate, when young players come in and when they are brave, when they back themselves. When Lenny comes on, he knows his strengths; he looks for actions where he can get a shot away. That is why I believe he can help us here and also at Bayern. He has already done that there, but he can also help us here."

Germany now balance learning from two painful tournaments with the need to move on. The team seek rhythm through friendlies against Switzerland, Ghana, Finland and the USA, while integrating players such as Karl and Urbig. Kimmich’s message stays consistent: accept lower expectations, stay fit, build unity, then arrive at the World Cup ready to change the narrative.