Kroos delivers brutal verdict after Germany’s shock World Cup exit to Paraguay

Toni Kroos has launched a scathing attack on the German national team following their humiliating penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay, claiming the four-time world champions “don’t have a single world-class player”.

Germany crashed out of the 2026 World Cup in the round of 32 after a 4-3 penalty shootout loss to Paraguay, who were ranked 41st in the FIFA world rankings compared to Germany’s 10th. The match had finished 1-1 after extra time, with Julio Enciso heading Paraguay into a shock lead in the 42nd minute before Kai Havertz equalised early in the second half.

Speaking on his TikTok show “Kroos & Kroos: die WM unter der Lupe”, the 2014 World Cup winner did not hold back in his assessment of the current squad.

“We currently don’t have a single world-class player,” Kroos declared bluntly. “We have players with world-class potential, but that doesn’t mean they are world-class”.

The former Real Madrid midfielder, who won 114 caps for Germany, pointed to the tournament’s top performers as evidence of what his country now lacks.

“The world-class players are currently deciding all the World Cup matches and they are leading the top goalscorers’ list. We don’t have a single one there. We have to be honest about that”.

Kroos also took aim at the team’s mentality, contrasting the current generation with the sides he played in during Germany’s successful tournaments.

“Back when we had successful tournaments, I always had the feeling we could shift into a higher gear,” he said. “This team is currently no longer capable of that”.

Drawing on his own experience, Kroos recalled that even when Germany played poorly in the past, they still found ways to win. “We have already had matches where we played badly, like against Algeria. But we were still able to win them. I don’t think this team is capable of that today,” he said.

The 2014 world champion blamed the defeat on a combination of doubt and arrogance, suggesting the players assumed victory would come regardless of their performance.

“We just think we’re better than Paraguay and we’ll win somehow”.

Germany dominated possession with 75% of the ball, completed 719 passes to Paraguay’s 161, and registered 21 shots to their opponents’ seven. Yet they failed to break down a resolute South American defence.

The penalty shootout proved disastrous for the Germans. Havertz and Nick Woltemade both had their spot-kicks saved by goalkeeper Orlando Gill. Although Paraguay missed two chances to clinch victory, Jonathan Tah blazed his sudden-death penalty over the bar before defender Jose Canale scored the decisive kick to send Paraguay through.

It was Germany’s first-ever loss in a World Cup penalty shootout, having previously won all four they had contested.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, who took over the national team in 2023, now faces an uncertain future following another early tournament exit. Germany have failed to make it out of the group stage twice since their 2014 triumph and have now lost in the first knockout match they have faced in 2026.

Former Germany captain Michael Ballack also joined the chorus of criticism, lamenting the disappearance of the mental resilience that traditionally defined German football.

“Our virtues, which have always distinguished Germany, have been somewhat lost,” Ballack said. “We start well, have ten, twenty good minutes, maybe even score a goal. But with the first action where we concede a goal or make a mistake, the whole thing collapses”.