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Germany is out of the 2026 World Cup. The four-time champions lost a Round of 32 penalty shootout to Paraguay on June 29 in Boston, falling 4-3 on spot kicks after a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes — one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. Here’s why it happened, and how a team ranked 10th in the world lost to a side ranked 41st.
Is Germany really out of the World Cup? What happened against Paraguay
Yes. Germany’s 2026 World Cup campaign ended on June 29 at Boston Stadium, where Julian Nagelsmann’s side were eliminated by Paraguay in the Round of 32. Paraguay’s Julio Enciso opened the scoring in the 42nd minute, heading in a cross from Matías Galarza. Kai Havertz equalized for Germany eight minutes into the second half, glancing in a Florian Wirtz delivery. Germany then thought they’d taken the lead in extra time when Jonathan Tah headed home from a corner, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review found Waldemar Anton had impeded Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
With the score still tied after 120 minutes, the match went to penalties — and Paraguay won 4-3. Gill saved attempts from Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade, while Manuel Neuer kept Germany alive by stopping a shot from Fabián Balbuena. But Jonathan Tah blazed his attempt over the crossbar in the first round of sudden death, handing José Canale the chance to send Paraguay through. He did, beating Neuer to his right.
Germany vs Paraguay Highlights
Why this counts as one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history
Germany entered the tournament ranked 10th in the FIFA world rankings; Paraguay came in at 41st, making this the largest ranking gap overcome by an underdog so far in the 2026 tournament. It was also the first time Germany has ever lost a penalty shootout at a men’s World Cup — the team had previously won six of seven shootouts in major tournaments, including six in a row since a loss to Czechoslovakia at the 1976 European Championship final.
The result also has historical symmetry: Germany and Paraguay had met only once before at a World Cup, in the 2002 Round of 16, when Germany won 1-0. Nearly a quarter-century later, Paraguay reversed that result on the biggest stage available.
How Paraguay’s defense neutralized a much stronger opponent
Germany dominated possession, holding the ball for roughly 78 percent of the first half, but managed only one shot on target in that opening period. Paraguay, coached by the Argentine defensive specialist Gustavo Alfaro, sat deep in a compact shape and absorbed pressure for long stretches, a pattern consistent with their entire run through the group stage. The same approach had already produced a 1-0 win over Türkiye earlier in the tournament, a match Paraguay played more than half of with ten men after a red card.
Paraguay’s run to the Round of 16 is their best World Cup performance since 2010, when they reached the quarterfinals before losing to eventual champions Spain. The country had not qualified for a World Cup in 16 years before 2026.
What happens next for both teams
Paraguay advances to face the winner of the France-Sweden Round of 32 match in the Round of 16, with France entering that tie as heavy favorites. For Germany, the exit extends a difficult run at recent major tournaments: the team failed to escape the group stage at both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, and this early elimination in the new 48-team format will renew scrutiny of Nagelsmann’s squad selection and tactics heading into Germany’s home-continent tournament, the 2028 European Championship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Germany out of the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. Germany was eliminated in the Round of 32 on June 29, 2026, losing 4-3 on penalties to Paraguay after a 1-1 draw through extra time.
What was the final score between Germany and Paraguay?
The match finished 1-1 after 120 minutes (Havertz for Germany, Enciso for Paraguay), with Paraguay winning the penalty shootout 4-3.
Why was Germany’s extra-time goal disallowed?
Jonathan Tah headed in a corner kick in extra time, but the goal was overturned by VAR after officials ruled that Waldemar Anton had fouled Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill in the build-up.
Has Germany ever lost a penalty shootout at a World Cup before?
No. This was Germany’s first-ever World Cup shootout loss; the team had previously won six straight shootouts in major tournaments dating back to 1976.
Who does Paraguay play next?
Paraguay faces the winner of France vs. Sweden in the Round of 16.
Sources: FIFA.com official match report; ESPN, Al Jazeera and CBS Sports match coverage, June 29-30, 2026.
Related: Is the US out of the World Cup? No — Here’s why, despite the Turkey loss