Toni Kroos says Germany are ‘not in good shape’ and ‘light years away’ from World Cup contenders

Former Germany midfielder Toni Kroos says the current side are “light years away” from being able to win the World Cup.

Germany had a mixed international break, losing 2-0 to Slovakia before beating Northern Ireland 3-1 on Sunday evening.

Julian Nagelsmann’s side are still favourites to win Group A but they may have to beat Slovakia in the return on November 17 to make sure of their place at the finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.

Kroos dismisses Germany’s chances

Kroos, who retired from all football following Euro 2024, believes Germany would have no chance against the world’s elite if the World Cup were played now.

Speaking on the Einfach mal Luppen podcast he hosts alongside brother Felix, Kroos said: “It is true that we are currently light years away from being able to talk about the World Cup. But it won’t be played this summer. Today we’re really not in good shape. But let’s wait for the right players to return.

“We are currently not among those who can have great ambitions. There are others that are simply better. However, I think that if everyone is in shape, we still have qualities.”

Jamal Musiala, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Kai Havertz were among those to miss the recent doubleheader.

I don’t know any players from Northern Ireland or Slovakia – Kroos

Kroos, who enjoyed a glittering career with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, believes despite their problems, Germany ought to be good enough to emerge from a qualifying pool that also contains Luxembourg.

He added: “We currently don’t have a group of 50 players of international stature. But it also doesn’t matter the squad with the games they have, what there is should be enough.

“If you had asked me how many players from Slovakia or Northern Ireland that I knew, it would be exactly zero. 

“Makeshift squad or not, against this type of team it should be enough. The great luck is that we have a group from which you practically cannot be eliminated.”

Germany’s next two games, during the October international break, sees them host Luxembourg before visiting Belfast to take on Northern Ireland.