What happens if Germany loses?
Nov 17, 2025 6:04 p.m. | 1:12m
In the last World Cup qualifying game against Slovakia, the German national soccer team wants to buy their World Cup ticket. But what happens if the DFB team has to go to the playoffs?
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It is a real final for the German national team against Slovakia for direct World Cup qualification. A draw is enough for the Nagelsmen. A defeat against the Slovaks like in the first leg means playoffs. But what happens next? The twelve group runners-up in the European Qualifiers will play for the last European World Cup tickets with teams qualified via the Nations League. Four teams play in a mini-chaos tournament for a place in the finals, each in two semi-finals and one final. Possible German opponents could be the Czech Republic, Ireland and Sweden. In order to go to the finals in North America, the German team needs two wins in this scenario. The draw for the play off tournaments will take place on November 20th in Zurich. The games will then be played at the end of March. The last time Germany had to play in a playoff against Ukraine was in 2001. DFB team boss at the time was today’s sports director Rudi Völler. Germany prevailed and became runner-up the following year.