7M - Matthaus Blames Off-Field Family Drama for Germany Exit

German football legend Lothar Matthaus has disclosed that internal friction involving players relatives disrupted Germany during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Speaking to Bild, the 1990 World Cup champion revealed that dressing room frustrations arose from unequal travel privileges granted to families.

According to Matthaus, tension grew because some players were allowed to bring specific family members on the official team aircraft, whereas other relatives had to fly on commercial flights. He also questioned the logic behind allowing families to arrive at the training camp less than two weeks after the team landed in the United States, suggesting such visits should have been delayed until the quarterfinals to preserve focus.

These off-field distractions contributed to another disappointing campaign for Germany, which ended with a penalty shootout loss to Paraguay. This defeat marks Germany's third consecutive failure to advance to the World Cup Round of 16, placing head coach Julian Nagelsmann under significant scrutiny.