By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Not being considered among the favorites for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is an opportunity for Germany to spring a surprise, team captain Joshua Kimmich says.
"We shouldn't be thinking about the final or talking about the title. That doesn't take us anywhere," the 31-year-old said.
"The major in Mexico, Canada, and the USA is about 'doing, achieving victories, but not wish-thinking,'" he added, while referring to the team's "new chance under new circumstances."
The baseline for the four-time world champion has changed significantly, as Kimmich underlines: "We all know how the recent tournaments ended for us."
Openly discussing the fear of becoming the "empty-handed generation," the Bayern midfielder insists on leaving the past behind, including the 2014 title.
Two painful group exits, in 2018 in Russia and 2022 in Qatar, led the German leader to speak of "the most difficult day of my career" and "the fear of dropping into a deep mental low."
He doesn't want to stand for a failed generation, he said. "That's something that makes you start to fight, as if it were the last thing you do."
The 2020 treble winner has taken on the role of his country's figurehead with passion. This time, guided by humility, action speaks louder than words.
Like a caring father figure, the German is counting on inner sparks to guide the new generation toward success.
Aside from him, only Leon Goretzka, Manuel Neuer and Antonio Rudiger remain from the "lost generation," while new faces such as Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, Kai Havertz and Nathaniel Brown embody a new era.
Arsenal's Havertz and Leipzig's David Raum praise the way Kimmich looks after teammates during periods without international games. He regularly calls them to check on how they are doing.
"He is the captain, the flag bearer for us all, and he perfectly fulfills this role," says sporting director and striker icon Rudi Voller, noting the team leader's close connection to coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Instead of talking about the knockout stage, Kimmich focuses entirely on the group opener against underdog Curacao, mindful that the 2026 tournament could be his last chance to end on a high note.
The 2026 tournament isn't about making amends, he insists. "We shouldn't take this mindset into the tournament." Instead, he wants to embrace the chance to surprise the big favorites such as France, Spain, Portugal, Argentina and Brazil. ■
