Back to the drawing board for Nagelsmann after Germany's shock defeat to Slovakia

Germans suffer a first ever World Cup qualifying away defeat with manager saying: 'We picked the best players but maybe we have to put less importance on quality and more on players who will give it all out there'

STUNNED: German players reflect on the tame surrender to Solavkia in their opening World Cup qualifier in Bratislava. Julian Nagelsmann's side entertain Northern Ireland on Sunday. Pic: Denes Erdos, AP

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, who this week had set the goal of winning the 2026 World Cup, is rushing back to the drawing board following Thursday's shock 2-0 loss against hosts Slovakia in their opening qualifier.

Nagelsmann's team, which included big Premier League transfers Florian Wirtz and Nick Woltemade, were completely toothless in attack and error-prone at the back while lacking any game plan as the Slovaks dismantled them to inflict a first-ever away defeat on Germany in a World Cup qualifier.