Nagelsmann Vows to Stay On After Germany’s Penalty Shootout Exit to Paraguay
Julian Nagelsmann has made clear he has no intention of walking away from his role as Germany head coach after the Mannschaft suffered a painful early exit from the World Cup, beaten by Paraguay on penalties in the last 32 in Boston.
Speaking to reporters deep inside Boston Stadium almost four hours after kick-off, Nagelsmann was candid about the difficulty of the result but firm about his future. According to The Guardian, he told the press conference: “I am not someone who runs away… I would love to continue if the football association wants me to.”
The German FA (DFB) had already spoken with Nagelsmann before he faced the media, though he acknowledged no decisions would be rushed. “They comforted me,” he said, noting they were not in a position to discuss his contract extension moments after a defeat of this magnitude.
A Tournament to Forget
Germany’s campaign had been stuttering long before the Boston shootout. They arrived at the last-32 tie having already lost their final group game to Ecuador, and their overall record across two tournaments under Nagelsmann — including the home Euros — amounts to just one knockout-stage win, against Denmark.
Paragway, who qualified from Group D in third place behind the United States and Australia, proved a stubborn opponent. Nagelsmann admitted his side failed to break down a deeply defensive setup and that the result was, in his own words, “very bitter.”
He was also realistic about how he is likely to be perceived back home: “If we did a survey today in Germany people would not speak positively about me today.”
Paraguay Celebrate in Style
For Paraguay, it was an entirely different atmosphere. Journalists reportedly cheered as the winning penalty was converted, and the press conference for victorious head coach Gustavo Alfaro drew a round of applause. Alfaro praised his “26 warriors” and spoke at length about football’s cultural importance in Paraguay.
The celebrations extend beyond the stadium — Paraguay’s president has declared Tuesday a national holiday in honour of the win.
Paraguay now progress to the last 16, where they will meet either France or Sweden in a 4 July Independence Day fixture in Philadelphia, a city with deep historical significance in American history.
For the latest results and standings from the tournament, check our live standings, and head to our World Cup 2026 hub for ongoing coverage as the knockout rounds take shape.
What This Means for UK Fans
With Germany out, the field opens up further for the remaining European contenders. Nagelsmann’s future remains unresolved but the DFB appears to be taking a measured approach, which suggests any formal decision is unlikely to come immediately.