German players celebrate after scoring during the World Cup Group E soccer match between Germany and Curacao in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026. Florian Wirtz (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
German players celebrate after scoring during the World Cup Group E soccer match between Germany and Curacao in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026. Florian Wirtz (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann has backed Florian Wirtz to turn promise into goals, confidently predicting his fortunes to change in the round of 32.
Wirtz has started each of Germany’s three World Cup games so far, assisting twice on their way to finishing top of Group E, setting up a round of 32 match against Paraguay.
Liverpool’s No. 7 has come in for criticism, however, having struggled to assert himself across the entirety of a match instead of just in flashes.
His manager, Julian Nagelsmann, remains confident that Wirtz will find his feet at his first World Cup, boldly predicting his fortunes in front of goal to change on Monday.
Asked about Wirtz’s performance after the surprise defeat to Ecuador, Nagelsmann told reporters: “I was pleased with Flo. He found a good position for the goal.
Liverpool's Florian Wirtz warming up before the Premier League match at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth. Picture date: Saturday January 24, 2026.
Liverpool's Florian Wirtz warming up before the Premier League match at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth. Picture date: Saturday January 24, 2026.
“He had some dribbles inside the box, if only he’d had a cleaner look at the finish. He’s just missing a goal right now, or that ‘ice-breaker’ moment, but it’ll come.
“It’ll happen on Monday, I’m absolutely sure of it!”
Germany face Paraguay in Boston on Monday (9.30pm BST), where a victory would set up a last 16 meeting with either Ibrahima Konate‘s France or Alexander Isak‘s Sweden.
Wirtz will hope to see his manager’s words come to fruition, though the scrutiny will not be new for the 23-year-old after a season in the headlines following his record move to Liverpool.
While there is a clamour to see more from the German, he is currently ranked 17th in FotMob‘s top players at the World Cup with a rating of 8.02 – the highest of any player in his national side.
He is one of eight Liverpool players involved in the knockout rounds at the World Cup, meaning his pre-season return is not expected until late July at the earliest.
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