Joshua Kimmich is asking Germany to do more than talk about winning the World Cup. The message lands with some force because Germany arrive on a nine-match winning streak, but Kimmich’s point is that momentum only matters if it turns into something on the pitch. Their opening game is against Curaçao on 2026-06-14 at 17:00 UTC.

Why Kimmich’s warning matters

Kimmich did not dress it up. Speaking to bavarianfootballworks.com, he said: “I hope that everyone here wants to become world champion. But it won’t get us very far if we only want it. We have to do something now to win games. That’s where we should start,”

That is a fair standard for a tournament campaign. Germany’s recent form is good, but a nine-game run does not win a World Cup by itself. It only tells you the squad has put itself in a decent position. What Kimmich is really demanding is sharper delivery when the pressure starts to tighten.

His own form suggests he is not talking from a weak position. Kimmich’s last five recorded matches carry a 7.58 average rating, including an 8.3 with two goal contributions against 1. FC Köln and an 8.2 away at VfL Wolfsburg. Bayern München also finished first in the Bundesliga with 89 points, 28 wins and a +86 goal difference, so a lot of Germany’s core is coming from a club side that still expects to win.

Why the mood around Germany is still guarded

The caution around this squad is not just Kimmich’s. Leon Goretzka said, “We’re not among the top favourites, let’s be honest.” He also said Germany lost some of the fans’ faith and wants the team to win it back. That is a pretty accurate read of where this side sits. There is belief, but not the kind of certainty that usually hangs around the obvious tournament favourites.

T. Müller went even further in the opposite direction from hype. He said it is about evaluating each individual game and the performances. He added that if Germany play well but go out because they lacked a bit of luck, they were still good. That is the more sober view, and it fits the bigger picture here. Germany have not won a major title since the 2014 World Cup, so expectation will stay high even if the public mood stays cautious.

That is why Kimmich’s line matters most. Germany are not being sold as a finished product, and nobody inside the camp is pretending otherwise. The first real test comes against Curaçao, and if Germany are serious about turning a nine-match run into something more meaningful, they will need to show it from the first whistle on 2026-06-14.

FAQ

Are Germany really contenders at the World Cup?

Germany arrive with momentum, having won nine straight matches, but their senior players are still cautious. Joshua Kimmich says wanting to win is not enough, Leon Goretzka says they are not among the top favourites, and Thomas Müller wants each game judged on its own performance.

What did Joshua Kimmich say about Germany's World Cup mindset?

Kimmich said: “I hope that everyone here wants to become world champion. But it won’t get us very far if we only want it. We have to do something now to win games. That’s where we should start.”

When is Germany's first World Cup match?

Germany open their World Cup campaign against Curaçao on 2026-06-14 at 17:00 UTC. Kimmich’s message is aimed at immediate execution, not just tournament optimism.

Compiled by the ClutchBrief Desk with AI assistance, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →