Germany's Elimination: Are the Wives to Blame?

Lothar Matthaus, the former captain of the German national team, has attributed Germany's elimination from the 2026 World Cup at the hands of Paraguay to internal team disputes, allegedly sparked by the interference of players' wives and girlfriends.

Germany was knocked out in the Round of 16 after a 4-3 penalty shootout loss to Paraguay, following a 1-1 draw in Boston.

Matthaus, who lifted the World Cup trophy in 1990, drew parallels with his own experience at the 1994 World Cup in the United States. The current BILD newspaper commentator recalled that in 1994, players were distracted by trying to have their families present throughout the tournament, which he believes may have contributed to their quarter-final defeat against Bulgaria. Matthaus suggests a similar situation unfolded with the current squad, with logistical travel issues becoming a problem behind the scenes.

"There were problems in '94, and I don't think it was much different this time," Matthaus stated. "There's a lot to process, both on and off the field. Wives, families, everyone was involved. I don't know why you need to involve all families from the start."

The former German international, without naming individuals, revealed that family management created tensions. "Then it's about travel options, hotel bookings. All of that was a topic within the team. One player was angry with another because one's mother could travel with the team, while another's wife and children could also. The rest had to take a commercial flight."

Matthaus argues that the management of family presence in future tournaments needs serious reconsideration. In his opinion, the federation should only bring families to join the team in the later stages of the competition, as a reward for success achieved. The former player criticized the attitude of some girlfriends and wives, who he claims viewed the World Cup as "free family vacation days."

Before Germany's departure for the USA, players were granted a family day at the training center in Frankfurt, which was widely documented by the press.

"In the end, there was a lot of commotion that didn't come to light," he said. "But despite everything, the focus simply wasn't on this World Cup. It was always a free family day and another free family day. The players hadn't even been in America for two weeks, and all the families were already there again," he criticized. "They could just arrive for the quarter-finals if the team has achieved something," he added.

It's worth noting that even during the tournament, Matthaus had already deemed the constant presence of coach Julian Nagelsmann's wife, Lena Wurzenberger, 34, with the team as "less than ideal." The former BILD journalist was seen at the pre-competition training camp in Frankfurt and attending training sessions, which reportedly became a talking point.

Wurzenberger was later seen observing the recovery work of Germany's substitutes after their 7-1 victory over Curaçao in the opening match. Later, it was reported that she accompanied Nagelsmann to the team hotel before both were seen cycling to training the following morning. "She simply shouldn't appear so often, I believe it's not ideal."