Many Germans losing interest in national team

Germany’s national team appears to face a rocky road to win back its fans after the recent World Cup group stage exit, with almost half of Germans losing interest in it.

A YouGov survey commissioned by DPA and published Thursday said that 46% of those polled stated they have lost interest in the team in the wake of poor results at tournaments – and 26% of them even said they have lost interest in a major way.

Another 34% said they hadn’t been interested in the team even before the World Cup group stage eliminations in 2018 and 2022, and a last-16 exit at Euro 2020.

Only 18% said interest in the national team hasn’t changed.

Coach Hansi Flick had admitted last week “we have an obligation to deliver” as the team and the ruling body DFB aim to win back the fans for the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany and beyond.

“We have to generate enthusiasm again,” he said. “We want to show attractive football. As a team, we want to show the fans: We get it, we want to give everything … That is our task and then we hope that the fans will support us. We are also convinced of that.”

Accusations of over-commercialism around the team and criticism of World Cup hosts Qatar have added to the dwindling interest, and German TV ratings for public broadcasters ZDF from the Qatar tournament were 30-40% down compared to 2018.