Has Nagelsmann’s arrogance become a problem? Are Germany Ready to Win the World Cup?

Has Nagelsmann’s arrogance become a problem? Are Germany Ready to Win the World Cup?

From The Fussball Podcast by Markus Fjørtoft / Jan Aage Fjørtoft

March 31, 2026 · 23 min · Season 4 · Episode 54

About this episode

The episode analyzes Germany's World Cup preparations, focusing on team structure, midfield balance, and the role of Florian Wirtz.

Germany’s preparation for the World Cup continued with matches against Switzerland and Ghana, offering two different types of tests. In this episode, we assess what these games told us about Julian Nagelsmann’s team, where the structure is working, and where questions remain. We look at the balance of the midfield, the ongoing lack of a clear No.9, and whether Germany have solved their defensive issues or simply masked them. A major focus is placed on Florian Wirtz, who continues to emerge as the central figure in Germany’s attacking play. We discuss how Germany can maximise his strengths, and how a club like Liverpool would need to build around him to get the best out of his profile. And what were those Nagelsmann comments on Undav about? Arrogance? Lack of communication strategy? We break it down!

People in this episode

Hosts: Markus Fjørtoft, Jan Aage Fjørtoft

Topics covered

  • Germany national team
  • World Cup preparation
  • Julian Nagelsmann
  • midfield balance
  • Florian Wirtz
  • defensive issues

Keywords

  • Germany
  • World Cup
  • Julian Nagelsmann
  • Florian Wirtz
  • midfield
  • defense
  • soccer

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Liverpool

Places: Germany, Switzerland, Ghana

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