Germany fans gathering in Boston on Sunday, a day ahead of their team's first World Cup knockout match against Paraguay, expressed confidence about victory against the rugged South Americans, but the prospect of meeting France in the next round was seen as a greater challenge.
Fan optimism despite mixed form
Tim Nikolayzik, originally from Bremen and working in finance in New York since 2019, said of Monday's game: "It's not going to be pretty but the result will count so they will have to put up a tough fight." He was cautiously optimistic about the four-time world champions' encounter against Paraguay, who are competing in their first World Cup in 16 years.
Germany crushed minnows Curacao 7-1 in their opening game, but had to come from behind to beat Ivory Coast and lost 2-1 to Ecuador in their final group game after already qualifying for the Round of 32. That performance is an improvement after shock first-round exits in 2018 and 2022.
Star players and defensive concerns
Under coach Julian Nagelsmann, Germany boasts stars such as striker Kai Havertz and attacking midfielder Jamal Musiala. However, many fans believe the team still has a long way to go to match the power of Spain, France and defending champions Argentina, especially in defence.
Jonny Wiesinger, a 33-year-old human resources worker from near Wuerzburg in southern Germany, acknowledged the team was not in best form but remained optimistic about overcoming Paraguay on Monday and then defeating France, despite the lethal French strikers Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele. France, runners-up to Argentina in 2022, are widely tipped to beat Sweden in their Round of 32 match on Tuesday.
Unwavering belief in World Cup glory
Wiesinger said it was possible for Germany to reclaim the World Cup trophy they last lifted in Brazil 12 years ago. "We are Germany so we are not scared of anyone," he said before joining friends at a bar in Boston's downtown area. "Of course, we have had better times (but) in 2014 nobody thought that we can win it so why shouldn't we do it this year?"
Paraguay will have other ideas. Their coach said on Sunday they would take inspiration from having beaten Argentina and Brazil in World Cup qualifiers when they take on Germany. Almost 1,000 Germany fans attended a baseball match between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees on Sunday.
