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MEDAN – Former Indonesia national team goalkeeping coach Sahari Gultom has named Germany as one of the strongest contenders to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 12 to July 20.

The North Sumatran coach believes that Germany possesses a distinctive character compared to other teams. According to him, the main strength of Die Mannschaft does not only lie in their player quality but also in their winning mentality, which always shines through during major tournaments.

Known affectionately as Ucok, Sahari stated that Germany has a long-standing tradition in the World Cup. Their extensive experience and deeply rooted football culture make them a constant threat to opponents, regardless of their form before the tournament begins.

“Germany is truly a team born for the World Cup. They always perform strongly in major events. What stands out the most is their mentality. In any situation, Germany consistently shows the character of a great team,” Sahari Gultom commented.

He further noted that Germany’s strength is also supported by an excellent domestic competition system that ensures continuous player regeneration. Sahari believes German football has a solid development foundation, starting from youth levels all the way to professional competitions.

Sahari even described Germany as a nation that never runs out of talent. He believes their player development system allows new generations to emerge seamlessly without major difficulties.

“Germany is quite similar to Brazil in terms of producing talented players. Their talent pool never dries up. Their league system is very strong and capable of developing players’ individual quality effectively. That’s why regeneration within the national team continues smoothly,” he explained.

Although he favours Germany, Sahari acknowledged that competition in the 2026 World Cup will be extremely fierce. Major footballing nations such as Argentina, France, and Brazil also have strong chances of lifting the trophy.

According to him, these countries will arrive with high-quality squads and the same goal—to be crowned world champions.

“There are still Argentina, France, Brazil, and several other strong teams. They all come with the same ambition to win. So, they will definitely be Germany’s main competitors in the tournament,” he added.

Furthermore, Sahari expressed his hope that Germany will once again face Argentina in the final. He believes that clashes between the two nations have always produced thrilling and historically rich encounters in the World Cup.

He recalled the iconic Germany-Argentina meetings in the 1990 and 2014 World Cup finals, both of which stand as classic rivalries in world football history.

“My hope is to see Germany face Argentina in the final. Their rivalry in the World Cup is always fascinating. We’ve seen their meetings in the 1990 and 2014 finals,” he remarked.

In addition to the team’s collective strength, Sahari also highlighted the role of veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, whom he still considers a vital figure for Germany. Neuer’s vast experience, Sahari said, can greatly influence the younger players within the squad.

According to Sahari, Neuer’s presence is not only as a goalkeeper but also as an on-field leader who can maintain team stability under pressure.

He added that the goalkeeper position often becomes a decisive factor in a team’s journey through major tournaments. Therefore, Neuer’s presence is expected to be one of Germany’s key strengths in their quest to claim a fifth World Cup title.

“Neuer remains an important figure because of his tremendous experience. He has already been a world champion and possesses very strong leadership. That kind of experience is crucial in a tournament as big as the World Cup,” Sahari concluded.