Toni Kroos criticized Germany's World Cup chances, saying they are far from winning a title.
What happened?
The Germany national team had a shaky start in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, with a defeat to Slovakia.
The team followed up with a 3-1 win over Northern Ireland, but criticism has not subsided.
Why it matters for Toni Kroos
Toni Kroos, the 2014 World Cup champion, pointed out the flaws in Julian Nagelsmann's squad on the podcast *Einfach mal Luppen*.
He argued that the lack of confidence and leadership on the pitch is what most weakens the group.
What comes next?
Julian Nagelsmann remains hopeful of turning things around in time, with nine months to build an identity and recover competitiveness.
The immediate goal will be to get through the upcoming fixtures in October and November.
Germany's next fixtures will be crucial, as they hope for slip-ups from Slovakia, who currently lead the group.
And the pressure is mounting, with Toni Kroos' words serving as a harsh reality check.
But the team cannot afford another failure after recent international disappointments.
So the coach has to bring the squad together and find a way to compete at the highest level.
Toni Kroos also mentioned that even with young talents like Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala, the national team still lacks solidity.
The midfielder held nothing back, stating that Germany is light years away from being able to fight for a title.
As of September 10, 2025, Germany's World Cup hopes are looking bleak, with Toni Kroos' criticism sparking concern.
The Mannschaft could be forced into the playoffs in March 2026 if they do not improve their performance.
Toni Kroos' words are a wake-up call for the team, and they need to find a way to turn things around quickly.
The Germany national team has to find a way to overcome their lack of confidence and leadership.
And they have to do it fast, with the 2026 World Cup qualifiers underway.
But for now, Toni Kroos' criticism is a harsh reality check for the team.
The midfielder's words are a reminder that Germany is far from winning a World Cup title.