Caution from the captain: It appears the strategy won't succeed.

Germany National Team Faces Pressure Ahead of World Cup Qualifier Against Northern Ireland

Germany's football captain, Joshua Kimmich, has expressed concern over the national team's performance after a poor start to the World Cup qualifiers. The team's recent 0-2 defeat against Slovakia has put them in a difficult position, with qualification for the World Cup becoming increasingly challenging.

Kimmich, who has participated in two World Cups as a player, both ending in the group stage, criticized the team's lack of "greed," sharpness, aggression in duels, support for each other, and bringing the attitude onto the pitch for 90 minutes. His criticism was in reference to the team's performance in the last place in the final round of the Nations League.

Oliver Baumann, another team member, echoed Kimmich's sentiments, stating that the team's poor performance against Slovakia was a "wake-up call." Both players emphasized the importance of sticking together and not tearing each other apart internally. Baumann, however, did not mention any specific issues with support for each other or bringing the attitude onto the pitch for 90 minutes, as Kimmich previously criticized.

The criticism comes as the German national team faces an unexpected pressure situation before the second game in Group A against Northern Ireland. The game is scheduled for Sunday at 20:45 CET and will be broadcast on RTL. Kimmich expects a reaction from the team against Northern Ireland due to the pressure situation.

The current German national football team for the 2026 World Cup qualification includes goalkeepers Oliver Baumann, Alexander Nübel, and Stefan Ortega Moreno; defenders Robin Gosens, Benjamin Henrichs, Joshua Kimmich, Robin Koch, Maximilian Mittelstädt, Antonio Rüdiger, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Jonathan Tah; midfielders Robert Andrich, Julian Brandt, Chris Führich, Pascal Groß, Jamal Musiala, Felix Nmecha, Angelo Stiller, and Florian Wirtz; and forwards Serge Gnabry, Kai Havertz, Tim Kleindienst, and Deniz Undav.

Kimmich, a 30-year-old professional for Bayern Munich, wants to improve his World Cup record in 2026, which will be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. He urges unity within the team, stating that blaming each other is not helpful and everyone is in the same situation. Baumann also addressed the shortcomings and criticized the lack of "emotion" and "greed" in the team's performance.

The game against Northern Ireland is considered extremely important for the team. A win could help them get back on track in their quest to qualify for the World Cup. The match will be played in Cologne.