Nagelsmann Hails Germany’s 7-1 World Cup Win, Says Confidence Is Growing

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann says his players have gained valuable confidence after opening their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a dominant 7-1 victory over Curacao.

The four-time world champions produced an impressive attacking display against the tournament debutants on Sunday, ending a long wait for an opening-match World Cup win that stretched back to 2014.

Reflecting on the result, Nagelsmann said the performance could play an important role in strengthening the team’s belief ahead of more demanding fixtures.

“We really need this self confidence. I think it grew, it was definitely there but it grew,” he said.

Germany’s previous two World Cup campaigns ended in group-stage disappointment, but the coach expressed optimism that his side can make a deep run this time around.

“I’m very satisfied with us scoring seven goals and our performance for the most part.

“A winning start is always important and we’re glad we managed it.

“We played with the right intensity. I think we can have a good tournament.”

The Germans opened the scoring through Felix Nmecha before Curacao briefly levelled the match thanks to Livano Comenencia’s deflected strike.

Any hopes of a shock result quickly faded as Germany responded emphatically, with Nico Schlotterbeck, Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown and Deniz Undav contributing to the rout. Havertz finished with a brace.

Nagelsmann said one of the positives from the victory was the composure his team displayed despite entering the match as overwhelming favourites.

“The team was not nervous,” he noted.

“One team has high expectation and the other does not. And that is a bit tricky.”

Germany now face a sterner examination against Ivory Coast, the reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions, in their next Group E fixture in Toronto.

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