As the German national football team enters a critical phase in its rebuilding process, a legendary figure from its past has offered a vote of confidence. Lothar Matthäus, Germany’s most-capped player and 1990 World Cup champion, believes the squad is on the right track under head coach Julian Nagelsmann as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Speaking at the premiere of a film about Germany’s historic World Cup win 34 years ago, the 63-year-old Matthäus noted that the team has already begun to gel. “They’ve come together quite a bit,” he observed, highlighting the improved team spirit.
Matthäus went further in his assessment, predicting in a forecast for “Sport Bild” that Germany will reach the semifinals of the upcoming World Cup. There, he expects them to fall to reigning European champions Spain. “Given the current state of affairs, Germany could be satisfied with that result—a semifinal would be a success,” the expert commented.
However, Matthäus also pointed to areas needing reinforcement, particularly in central defense. “We have some issues with depth in central defense,” he analyzed, recommending VfB Stuttgart’s Jeff Chabot for a call-up to the national team. “He hasn’t played an international match yet, but I see him as a candidate,” Matthäus explained, praising Chabot’s physical presence, tackling, and aerial ability. He added that if Chabot stays injury-free and finds consistent playing time, he could become “one of the best central defenders in the Bundesliga.”
These insights come at a pivotal moment for German football. After disappointing performances at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, the team under Nagelsmann is striving to reclaim its place among the world’s elite. Upcoming friendlies and the 2024 European Championship will test whether the positive trends Matthäus has identified can be sustained.
For German fans, Matthäus’s words offer a glimmer of hope. Following years of uncertainty and setbacks, an icon of the sport suggests that a resurgence may be within reach. Whether his semifinal prediction proves accurate will be revealed in two years’ time.
He hasn't played an international match yet, but I see him as a candidate too, even if he might not be on many people's radar yet. But especially in central defense, we have a bit of a problem with depth.
noch kein Länderspiel
