German Football Association (DFB) president Bernd Neuendorf said Germany cannot be overconfident in Friday’s World Cup group draw given the team’s poor performance in qualifying.
“We should not make the mistake of thinking that there are easy and difficult groups,” Neuendorf said in Switzerland after a UEFA meeting.
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“Many teams, even from so-called small countries, have players who play in Europe, in great leagues and in great clubs. A little humility is needed here.”
Neuendorf said the defeat in Slovakia at the start of qualifying and two close games against Northern Ireland “should be enough of a warning not to underestimate teams like this.”
Germany will enter pot one of the draw as one of the top nine countries in the world. The shortlist also includes three host countries, the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Four-time champion Germany will avoid the likes of defending champion Argentina, European champions Spain, France or England.
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But if the Azzurri advance through the play-offs, their opponents could be Colombia or Uruguay, Erling Haaland’s Norway or Italy. Germany could also face South Korea or Japan, whom they defeated in 2018 and 2022 respectively when Germany crashed out of the group stage.
Germany could also face newcomers such as Uzbekistan, Cape Verde or Curacao, which is part of the World Cup’s appeal for coach Julian Nagelsmann.
“In qualifying, it’s also attractive to play against a country you don’t normally come up against in qualifying and the Nations League. That’s been the case with national teams in previous World Cups,” he said.
“Every country has earned a place in the World Cup and on the big stage,” Nagelsmann added.
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Neuendorf echoed similar sentiments, saying: “Football has experienced huge growth around the world, especially in Europe. The teams that compete and enter the draw are there for a reason.”
The German delegation, which includes Neuendorf, Nagelsmann and sporting director Rudy Waller, is scheduled to fly to Washington later Thursday.
