Sun Jihai Says Germany's Failure to Reach World Cup Round of 16 Is Not Surprising? German Football Forgets Its Roots in Talent Selection

The first knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup, i.e., the Round of 16, has fully wrapped up. Here's one question:Which strong team's failure to advance to the Round of 16 do you find most surprising?Many fans might choose Germany or the Netherlands. But on the "Human vs. Machine" show broadcast live on Migu Video at 9 PM each evening, former Manchester City star Sun Jihai stated that Germany's exit came as no surprise. What is your take on this?

In the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, Germany lost 3-4 on penalties to Paraguay, marking their third consecutive World Cup without reaching the last 16. Faced with this disappointing outcome, former Chinese international Sun Jihai bluntly said it was "not surprising." As a human guest on Migu Video's "Human vs. Machine" show, Sun's assessment was not just hindsight but was based on a deep understanding of modern football's evolutionary trends. His analysis not only accurately exposed Germany's deep-seated issues but also served as a wake-up call for traditional global powerhouses.

Sun Jihai's view that Germany's elimination is "not unexpected" stems from his insight into the team's systemic failures, ranging from tactics to youth development. After reaching the pinnacle of world football in 2014, German football fell into a quagmire of misplaced tactical priorities. In chasing extreme possession-based play, they abandoned their traditional strengths of flank attacks and efficient counterattacks, yet failed to master the essence of intricate passing, ultimately landing in an awkward "neither fish nor fowl" position. Against Paraguay, despite holding 75% possession and taking 23 shots, Germany's game was filled with pointless passing and lacked a decisive tactical focal point in attack. This tactical rigidity stripped the once-disciplined and efficient German machine of its sharpness. To put it simply, it was like the German tank lost its engine—a sense of weakness in breaking through, a feeling of an iron fist trying to do embroidery.

A deeper issue, as Sun Jihai repeatedly emphasized, lies in the flawed youth development system and talent gap. Sun once hit the nail on the head by stating that football progress depends on solid youth training and attention to detail. In recent years, in adapting to possession-based football, Germany's youth programs overemphasized technical skills while neglecting physicality and finishing ability, resulting in a surplus of similar, system-dependent players. Since Klose's retirement, Germany has lacked a reliable traditional center forward for over a decade, forcing players like Havertz to play as false nines who frequently drop deep, leaving the penalty area empty. This critical positional gap directly caused the team's impotence in breaking down defenses. It seems Germany has forgotten how to head the ball—one of their traditional strengths on the football pitch.

Moreover, Sun's "not unexpected" assessment also arises from his keen perception of the loss of the team's spiritual core. Sun once remarked when analyzing the Chinese national team that "fighting spirit alone is not enough—ability must come first," but conversely, when a team loses basic resilience and the will to win, even the best lineup cannot translate into victory. The Germany of old was recognized as the "king of comebacks" and kept the "penalty shootout myth" alive, but in this crucial match, Havertz and Woltemade both missed penalties, exposing a complete breakdown in the team's mental toughness. After the match, the German team's unusual behavior—keeping their heads down in silence, avoiding eye contact, and almost instantly dispersing—further confirmed that this squad had lost its characteristic fighting spirit and leadership quality.

In this "Human vs. Machine" contest, AI might use data to calculate that Germany dominated possession, but it could not quantify the psychological collapse of a team under extreme pressure. Sun Jihai's judgment goes beyond cold statistics to recognize the principles of talent cultivation and spiritual heritage behind the sport. Germany's failure to reach the last 16 for three consecutive World Cups is not an accidental upset but the inevitable result of tactical confusion, misguided youth development, and diminished spirit. For German football, admitting defeat is only the first step. Only by starting over and reconnecting with its foundational strengths can the German machine truly emerge from its twelve-year-long period of darkness.

While watching the World Cup, we recommend checking out the "Human vs. Machine: Who Is the World Cup Prophet" show on Migu Video. Its core appeal can be summed up in one sentence:Turning World Cup predictions into a live reality show of "AI vs. Humans," grading predictions against actual match results in real time.#WritingAboutFootball WorldCup Prediction