German chancellor mocked for praising team after shock World Cup exit

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is facing a public backlash after attempting to console the national football team following its shocking early exit from the 2026 North America World Cup.

After Germany lost to Paraguay on penalties, 3-4, and failed to advance to the round of 16, Merz posted on X (formerly Twitter) on June 29 (local time): "DFB (German Football Association) team, what a shame about the elimination — but what a remarkable match. The fighting spirit and teamwork you showed at this World Cup have moved the whole country."

Within roughly 10 hours, the post had drawn more than 10,000 comments, many of them mocking. Among the responses: "The national team is a perfect match for the chancellor," "Your eye for football is as bad as your politics," "I have no idea what game you were watching — you're already quite well known for your perception problems," and "German football is an accurate reflection of the state of this country."

Maria-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, a member of the European Parliament from the opposition Free Democratic Party (FDP), wrote: "I'm not sure which was worse — the match or this analysis. No ambition, no ideas, ultimately helpless. The team played like the federal government."

The daily Süddeutsche Zeitung said Merz's post "came as a surprise," adding that it raised questions about whether he had actually watched the game.

Apparently aware of the flood of criticism, Merz posted again on June 30.

"We celebrate victories together and stand together in defeat," he wrote. "The players who wear the eagle crest on their chests deserve support, not condemnation."

The Associated Press described the reaction to Germany's elimination and Merz's posts as a spreading of "Schadenfreude" — pleasure derived from others' misfortune.

Germany, a traditional football powerhouse ranked 10th by FIFA, topped Group E to reach the round of 32. But the team showed signs of vulnerability, including a 1-2 loss to Ecuador in its final group-stage match, and ultimately fell to Paraguay, ranked 41st in the world, ending its tournament run.

Germany won its fourth World Cup title at the 2014 Brazil tournament but was eliminated in the group stage at both the 2018 Russia and 2022 Qatar editions.

Amid the fallout, Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann said he has no intention of stepping down voluntarily.

In an interview with German broadcaster ZDF after the final whistle, Nagelsmann said, "I'm not someone who runs away."

"I want to continue in this role, but I can't always decide everything on my own," he said. "If the German Football Association wants me, I'll prepare for the European Championship and the Nations League."

He added that he would not resign. "If the DFB no longer wants me, then I'll leave at that point," he said.

Meanwhile, the German national team under Nagelsmann had already been showing signs of instability last year.

In September last year, Germany suffered its first-ever away defeat in World Cup European qualifying.

The loss came in an away match against Slovakia in Group A of the European qualifying campaign for the North America World Cup, played at Tehelné pole in Bratislava, where Germany fell 0-2.

While some earlier records may differ slightly depending on the source, German media reported it was the first time Germany had ever lost an away match in World Cup qualifying.