Mats Hummels called for Joshua Kimmich to play midfield before Paraguay match

dpatop - 20 June 2026, Canada, Toronto: Soccer, Men, 2026 World Cup, Germany vs. Ivory Coast, Group Stage, Group E, Matchday 2, Toronto Stadium, Thomas Müller (left) and Mats Hummels are on the field as TV analysts for Magenta TV. PLEASE NOTE: In accordance with FIFA regulations, these images may be used exclusively for editorial purposes. Commercial use is prohibited. Furthermore, no video-like sequences may be created, and no alterations may be made to the image, either in the foreground or the background. Photo: Tom Weller/dpa (Photo by Tom Weller/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Mats Hummels was always regarded as a cerebral player and in his early foray into punditry, the former Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund center-back detailed what he thought would help Germany get past Paraguay.

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“The closer the match gets, the stronger the feeling becomes that Kimmich will start at #6 and that we’ll get 2014 vibes at right-back with a centre-back playing there. I think Pavlović is the first option to drop out. The combination of Pavlović and Felix Nmecha doesn’t quite work. I think Felix has had the better tournament on an individual level. I think we’ll see Waldemar Anton [at right-back],” Hummels said during an appearance on MagentaTV (as captured by @iMiaSanMia).

As we know now, Hummels would eventually get his wish when Nagelsmann brought in Waldemar Anton for Pavlović in the 79th minute. Ultimately, though, it would still not be enough as Germany and Paraguay battled through extra time to a 1-1 draw (even after a controversial VAR intervention).

From there, the Germans lost on penalties in an extremely difficult World Cup exit.

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