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Wenger on Germany’s failure at the 2022 World Cup: focus on competition, not politics Page all

KOMPAS.com – Former Arsenal manager who chaired the Technical Study Group (TSG) World Cup 2022 Qatar, Arsène Wengerhe expressed his views on the bankruptcy German national team in the group stage.

Arsene Wenger said Germany’s failure in the group stage World Cup 2022 Qatar inseparable from the loss of focus on the competition.

According to Arsene Wenger, the attention of the German national team when they appeared at the 2022 World Cup was interrupted by the political demonstrations that were actually led by the players.

“You know, when you go to the World Cup, you can’t lose the first match. Teams that have (World Cup) experience like France and England played well in the first match,” said Arsene Wenger, quoted by Sky Sports.

Read also: 5 dramatic moments in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup, Germany ends in vain

“Mentally prepared teams have a mentality that focuses on competition, not political demonstrations,” said Arsene Wenger.

Arsene Wenger’s statement about the political demonstration led to the gestures shown by the German players up front kick off the first group stage match against Japan, 23 November 2022.

At the time, the top 11 players of the German national team were seen covering their mouths with their hands during a team photo session.

ESPN wrote that the action was a form of protest by the German national team to FIFA regarding the ban on the use of the “OneLove” rainbow captain’s armband which symbolizes support for LGBTQ+ people.

Read also: Germany vs Japan, reasons why the Panzer Team should shut up when being photographed

Previously, the German Football Association (DFB) reportedly asked team captain Manuel Neuer not to wear the rainbow captain’s armband in the first match against Japan.

This is because FIFA, as the progenitor of world football, has threatened to impose sporting sanctions on all national associations whose team will wear the rainbow captain’s armband at the 2022 World Cup.

Therefore, Manuel Neuer and others showed a silent gesture in protest against FIFA’s ban and threats regarding the wearing of the “OneLove” captain’s armband.

German national team he was not punished for the act.

However, the gestures made by the Germany national team have now formed the opinion that they have lost their focus on the competition, so they fail to show their best performance in every match.

Read also: World Cup 2022 – Silent action, Germany escapes punishment

Germany surprisingly lost to Japan when they started the fight in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup.

Next, they drew Spain and won over Costa Rica.

As a result, the German national team recorded four points from three games in the group stage.

Their points are the same as Spain’s. However, Germany lost on goal difference, so are stuck in third place in the Group E table.

Germany are top only Costa Rica, who finished bottom of Group E for the 2022 World Cup.

Read also: 2022 World Cup Group E standings: Japan wins the group, Germany eliminates!

Top spot in Group E belongs to Japan, who looked impressive enough to pick up two victories over Germany and Spain.

After finishing in third place, Germany will be eliminated from the 2022 World Cup. They cannot continue their fight until the round of 16.

This is the first time Germany have been eliminated in the group stage of the World Cup in back-to-back editions.

Previously, Der Panzer was also eliminated in the group stage when they appeared at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.


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