"A Shameful, Horrific Disaster" ... Klinsmann's Fury as He Watches His Homeland Germany Crash Out in the Round of 32 [2026 FIFA World Cup]

[Financial News] The engine of the once-dominant German machine has come to a complete stop. Even Jürgen Klinsmann, who once coached the South Korea national team, lashed out at his homeland's shocking early exit, calling it a "national disgrace."
Germany's national team fell to Paraguay after a nerve-racking penalty shootout in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the 30th at Boston Stadium in Massachusetts. Germany had advanced to the knockout stage with a solid record of two wins and one loss in the group stage, but they were stunned by Paraguay, a team widely seen as the underdog, and were sent home in humiliating fashion.
Klinsmann, speaking through ESPN, sharply criticized the result. "Today is a day of immense sorrow for all German people. I never imagined they would collapse at the Round of 32," he said, unable to hide his deep disappointment.

His harshest criticism targeted the team's fundamentals and mentality. Klinsmann said, "There was no sign of any will to control the match over 120 minutes. They lacked the fighting spirit and energy needed to overwhelm Paraguay." He also blasted their penalty-shootout preparation, saying, "At the decisive moment, they were a complete mess with no preparation at all for penalties. It was simply absurd."
Germany's humiliation is not limited to this tournament. At the final group-stage match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, they were beaten 2-0 by Korea and became the victim of the so-called Miracle of Kazan. At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, they failed to get past Japan, marking back-to-back failures to reach the Round of 16.
"Today's shameful and horrific defeat is exactly the same as the disasters they suffered in Russia and Qatar," Klinsmann said with a sigh. "Because of this shocking turn of events, German football will face an almost unimaginable uphill battle from here." Germany have now swallowed defeat at three consecutive World Cups. The iron force that once terrified the world is now exiting the stage with little more than bitter memories of past glory.
jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter