Schweinsteiger: Germany should be happy reaching World Cup semi-final

FootballSports
6 Jun 2026 • 10:20 PM MYT
DPA International
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Image from: Schweinsteiger: Germany should be happy reaching World Cup semi-final
German former footballer Bastian Schweinsteiger holds up the trophy at the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour at the American Museum of Natural History ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup. Laura Brett/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Germany should view reaching the World Cup semi-finals as a success, 2014 winner Bastian Schweinsteiger said on Saturday.

"We must not forget that the best result in the last 10 years was a quarter-final at Euro 2024. That is why I would like us to reach the semi-finals," Schweinsteiger told the Schwäbische Zeitung.

The former midfielder, now a top German TV pundit, picked France as his favourites for the men's tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico, which begins on Thursday.

Germany could beat France in a one-off game, but don't have the quality to go all the way, the 41-year-old believes.

"If everything works out for us, we can beat the big nations like France and Spain. But then everything really has to go right," Schweinsteiger stressed. "I do not see us as top favourites."

Image from: Schweinsteiger: Germany should be happy reaching World Cup semi-final
German former footballer Bastian Schweinsteiger and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdain attend the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour at the American Museum of Natural History ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup. Laura Brett/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa