Uli Hoeness: Germany could win the World Cup

German football figure Uli Hoeness has joined the growing optimism around the national team after their 2-1 win over Ivory Coast.

The Bayern Munich honorary president said Germany showed “incredible fighting spirit” and stressed that tougher obstacles still lie ahead if they are to go all the way. Hoeness, 74, pointed to the team’s unity under Julian Nagelsmann as a key reason for belief.

“If they continue to grow and work as a team like this, and the coach keeps making effective substitutions like he did yesterday, then anything will be possible,” he said.

Nagelsmann’s tactical changes drew praise after they helped seal the narrow victory. Germany have now taken six points from two games and have already secured top spot in Group E, leaving them able to approach their final group match against Ecuador without the pressure of needing a result.

Hoeness, who won the 1974 World Cup and Euro 1972 with West Germany, stopped short of naming Germany outright as title favourites. But his comments underlined the mood around the squad after a win that has lifted hopes of a deep run in North America.