Doubts about the DFB team
Löw: “Not what it takes to win titles”
Updated June 16, 2026 – 6:56 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Former national coach Joachim Löw praises the development of the national team, but still sees crucial gaps. According to Löw, what the team is still missing for the World Cup title.
In their opening game of the World Cup, the German national team impressed with a 7-1 win against Curaçao. Nevertheless, former national coach Joachim Löw does not yet see Julian Nagelsmann’s team at the level of the big tournament favorites.
In the live show “Kroos & Kroos: The World Cup under the microscope” on TikTok, Löw stated: “The team has a lot of quality, but not yet the stability that it needs to win titles.” The team also lacks the necessary leadership to win the title at the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
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Löw said: “Personalities like we had in 2014. That has to be shown in this team now. Joshua Kimmich alone won’t be enough, or Manuel Neuer. We need a few more. Then maybe we’ll be strong enough.”
Löw cites the ability to show dominance over 90 minutes as another key. Despite great progress, this has been missing so far. Löw: “It often allows the opponent to come back a little. If we manage to be stable, overcome such resistance and show more orientation, more clarity over 90 minutes, then we will be among the favorites.”
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The 66-year-old is positive about the development under Nagelsmann. He likes that the team is more innovative, courageous and has better processes on offense. Löw praised: “The team has developed well since the 2024 European Championship. We haven’t been at the highest level for a few years. But now I have the feeling that we have a good idea again, dynamism, a certain creativity. And above all, we can set a playful tone.”
Löw sees the opening win against Curaçao as a boost for self-confidence, but warns us to take things into consideration: “You shouldn’t think you’re in seventh heaven now. That was definitely the easiest opponent at this World Cup.”