Leon Goretzka is looking forward to the 2026 World Cup with mixed feelings. The former Bayern professional not only wants to be successful in sporting terms, but also to put the disappointments of previous tournaments behind him. At the same time, the midfielder is remarkably honest when it comes to the role of the German national team at the World Cup
The German national team is travelling to the World Cup with significantly less praise than it did a few years ago. After disappointing tournaments in 2018 and 2022, the DFB team is no longer automatically one of the favourites to win the title
For Leon Goretzka, this assessment is entirely understandable. The midfielder, who played at both previous World Cups, is realistic about the current starting position
„I don’t have the feeling that we are among the top favorites. We have to be that honest,“ explained the 31-year-old in an interview with FIFA
Goretzka is openly stating what many experts have been emphasizing for months: the German national team undoubtedly has quality, but after the past few years it must first prove itself again at the highest level on a permanent basis
Goretzka wants to regain lost confidence
The recent World Cup disappointments in particular continue to concern the midfielder. Germany were eliminated at the group stage in both Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022
For Goretzka, the upcoming World Cup is therefore also an opportunity to make amends. „Of course you want to put that right,“ emphasized the former Bayern star
He is thinking in particular of the fans, whose relationship with the national team has suffered in recent years. „You can feel that the euphoria, the closeness to the fans and perhaps also the encouragement of the fans is no longer there. We’ve gambled that away a bit and would of course like to earn it back,“ explained Goretzka
The midfielder makes no secret of the fact that this is precisely his greatest motivation for the tournament
„That’s actually my biggest personal motivation and it’s the same for the whole team,“ he assured
„I’d rather be the top favorite“
Despite all the realism, Goretzka is not completely comfortable with the underdog role. „Honestly – I’d rather be the top favorite,“ the international explained openly
The reason for this is obvious to him: from his time at FC Bayern, he is familiar with the situation of going into a competition as the favorite. „I know that well from the club and then the chances are highest that you’ll pull it off,“ said Goretzka
At the same time, however, he knows that any other self-assessment would hardly be credible at the moment: „Nevertheless, based on the last few years, it would simply not be appropriate to describe yourself as the favorite for the World Cup title,“ he clarified
Nevertheless, the midfielder also sees opportunities in the current starting position, as Germany can draw additional energy from the role of challenger
„The role we have now is certainly not a bad one, and as soon as you accept it, you can of course also gain strength from it,“ explained Goretzka
He is particularly optimistic about the development within the team: „If we manage to grow as a team during the tournament, then there are no limits.“
Even though Goretzka will probably not be part of the first eleven for the World Cup opener, his statement makes it clear: the former Bayern professional still believes that Germany can spring a surprise at this World Cup.