Uli Hoeneß delivers World Cup warning to Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann
The FC Bayern legend is sour on the Germans’ chances this summer.
STUTTGART, GERMANY - MARCH 30: Head coach Julian Nagelsmann of Germany looks on during the international friendly match between Germany and Ghana at MHP Arena on March 30, 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Mika Volkmann/Getty Images) | Getty Images Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeneß is a master of blunt statements. And his assessment of the German men’s national team ahead of this summer’s World Cup is unsparing.
In Hoeneß’ view, the Germans cannot be considered among the tournament favorites. “I can’t say that at all,” Hoeneß declared in recent comments captured by @iMiaSanMia . “Because the German team has never played with the same eleven in two consecutive matches.
“And that’s something I hold against [head coach] Julian [Nagelsmann] — I’ve already told him personally. If you go to a World Cup and don’t have a truly world-class team, which in my opinion we don’t have at the moment, then — as Vincent has demonstrated — you can only be successful through the team, through the team structure. “But currently, I don’t see a clear lineup at either end of the pitch.
Who is our striker? Who plays in goal? Who is the right-back, who the left?