LIVE German press conference ahead of Germany vs. Cote d'Ivoire with Julian Nagelsmann and Jonathan Tah

Good morning, afternoon, evening - wherever you are in the world, welcome to live Bulinews coverage of the German national football team's journey at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. We are here for the German press conference ahead of their clash against Cote d'Ivoire.

And the press conference starts! DFB coach Julian Nagelsmann and Jonathan Tah have arrived.

Julian Nagelsmann: "It's a beautiful stadium we're playing in tomorrow. We are excited and believe it's going to be a really good match-up."

Jonathan Tah: "It's going to be a special game for me against Cote d'Ivoire. I'm really looking forward to it."

Julian Nagelsmann: "We want to win tomorrow - that's the goal. There is no real reason for me to change anything about the lineup, but I'm also not going to tell you every single one of my thoughts right now."

Julian Nagelsmann about Leroy Sané: "I don't know why I wouldn't let Leroy play tomorrow. He trained really well, he's well integrated into the squad. He'll be important for us tomorrow."

Jonathan Tah: "To be honest, I don't really listen to the noise from the media around the World Cup and around our team."

Julian Nagelsmann: "I did not expect an apology from Jürgen Klopp for his comments and I also don't listen to everybody talking about our team. That's not possible."

Julian Nagelsmann: "Obviously we're going to adjust to every opponent we're playing against. We will not change our whole system, but it's about reacting to the opponents strengths. That's always been the case for us."

Julian Nagelsmann: "We try to watch a lot of games during the World Cup - the USA have played quite well earlier."

LIVE STATEMENTS:

Jonathan Tah: "I came across what Toni Rüdiger said about me and my qualities. It's quite special to hear that from him, he is a great player who has achieved a lot in his career. I'm even more impressed by him as a person - he contacted me when I was injured, he always pushes me to be the best version of myself. He is a great team player."

LIVE STATEMENTS:

Julian Nagelsmann: "Winning is the best recipe. We are all adults and the "togetherness" in the camp is great. We have a great energy here and we train really well. Whenever the sessions are supposed to be challenging and tough, they are. I'm really happy with the way we have gone about things up until now."

LIVE STATEMENTS:

Julian Nagelsmann: "I think we have a lot of great German coaches. You mentioned Jürgen Klopp and Hansi Flick. They have done awesome things in their career. Hansi has done superbly at Barcelona and I really love his style of play. Jürgen has re-invented the pressing style and I always liked to watch his games, they were always emotional and entertaining. I also want to mention Thomas Tuchel who is doing really well with England right now, as you know. We do have a lot of great German coaches as you've said."

LIVE STATEMENTS:

(about the snakes in the German training camp) - Julian Nagelsmann: "It's a big anaconda! Jokes aside, it's a small intruder, a small snake. We love animals, that's all I can say about that. (laughs)"

LIVE STATEMENTS:

Julian Nagelsmann: "I really didn't like the criticism about Leroy Sané after the last match. I feel like there is always something people want to criticise about him. Whether it's his goal-numbers or his work ethic. My opinion is: he played well, he trained well and he will have a good match for us tomorrow."

LIVE STATEMENTS:

(about his coaching friend Dino Toppmöller getting a new job in France) Julian Nagelsmann: "I'm not surprised he got a new good job, I'm just happy for him. He is a great guy and a great coach."

LIVE STATEMENTS:

Julian Nagelsmann: "Aleks Pavlović is a really good addition to our team. He is always well behaved, funny, hard working - just great for Germany and Bayern Munich, too."

LIVE STATEMENTS:

Julian Nagelsmann: "The short pauses are not long enough to completely change up the tactics. It's good for the players, as they can use the time to hydrate. I can, as a coach, maybe talk to a few players, which is nice."

LIVE STATEMENTS:

(about the opponent) Julian Nagelsmann: "They have been great in World Cup qualification and the friendlies. They've changed up the way the play and are quite undpredictable in the way they're playing. They are really strong on the flanks, their energy on and off the ball is extra-ordinary. They are very disciplined in the way they press, but also in the way they react when they get the ball. We tried to counter their best tacticts for the game tomorrow as good as possible."

LIVE STATEMENTS:

Jonathan Tah about Yan Diomande: "He is so talented and his story in the last few days has moved me. Football unites and the players know how difficult those moments can be for your private life. I really wish him the best, he is a great player."

POST press conference:

And that's a wrap! The press conference with Julian Nagelsmann and Jonathan Tah has been concluded. Stay tuned for new and more detailed articles about the topics from the press conference!

POST press conference:

Germany will play Cote d'Ivoire on Saturday, June 20th at 10pm CET. Let us know on X and on Instagram how YOU think the game will end! Thanks for tuning in for live Bulinews coverage of the German national football team's journey at the 2026 FIFA World Cup!