Tah finally gets his World Cup chance with Germany
The 2026 World Cup will mark the Bayern Munich defender’s debut for Germany at the tournament. This opportunity has been years in the making.
It is difficult to fathom that the 2026 World Cup represents Jonathan Tah’s first appearance at the event. The 30-year-old arrives following the finest campaign of his professional career and boasts extensive experience, having made over 300 appearances in the Bundesliga. However, his ascent to the highest level has been anything but simple, and he now values the path he has traveled.
“A World Cup is something unique, and I’m really thrilled to be experiencing my first one,” Tah stated in the days preceding Germany’s opening match. “I sensed how significant this competition is, and I feel very thankful to be present. It carries great weight. I’ve spoken with my family and friends, and they’ve observed that the special atmosphere is somewhat lacking, so I hope German supporters start displaying their flags soon, and naturally we can contribute to that by performing well.”
Tah has certainly been delivering on that front. He ranks among Europe’s most dependable defenders, as demonstrated during his debut season at Bayern Munich. He played a key role in securing a domestic double and, according to Opta, concluded the Bundesliga campaign with the highest pass completion rate (96%) — a record for players since data collection started nearly two decades ago. While that statistic might not indicate he is always the most adventurous defender in possession, he is not perpetually cautious either. During this season’s Champions League encounter against Atalanta, he delivered 24 long passes into the opposition’s half, setting a competition record for the campaign. His capacity to execute long-range passes is perhaps undervalued.
“Jonah [Tah] has taken a massive leap [in terms of development] over the last three or four years,” remarked Nico Schlotterbeck, the Dortmund defender who partners Tah at the heart of Germany’s defense. “He showcased his ability in the game against the USA. He is exceptionally strong in one-on-one situations.”
**Slow and steady wins the race**
On the domestic front, Tah first emerged on the scene as a 17-year-old at Hamburg. After being recognized as Germany’s top under-19 player in 2015, the Hamburg native moved to Leverkusen and soon earned his Germany debut in early 2016 under then-national team coach Joachim Löw. He was called up as an injury replacement for the Euro 2016 squad but did not play a single minute during Germany’s run to the semifinals. At that stage, he appeared destined for stardom, yet the consistency that now defines him proved elusive in the subsequent years.
Consequently, his breakthrough with the Germany team never truly materialized. He was included in the provisional squad for 2018 but did not make the final cut. He was absent from the squad for the following European Championship and the World Cup in Qatar. It was only after helping Leverkusen secure an historic domestic undefeated double that he became one of the first names on the teamsheet for Germany’s home European Championship two years ago. Since then, however, he has achieved and sustained excellent form. After being a regular throughout qualifying, Tah scored his first goal for Germany in March and enters this tournament as one of the more challenging defenders to face.
**Connection to African roots**
As the son of an Ivorian father and a German mother, Tah will have to manage divided loyalties when Germany take on the Ivory Coast in their second match.
“I’m genuinely looking forward to that game,” Tah said. “I was raised in Germany, but through my father I became familiar with the culture. I feel a bond with the country. I visited in recent years, saw my grandmother and other relatives. It will be meaningful for that reason.”
For a player who often practices meditation in the morning, his mindset appears as composed as his form, even when facing an emotionally charged fixture. This is Tah’s moment, and his teammates recognize it as well.
“They [Bayern Munich] had an exceptional season, I have a good left foot, we are in good form, and we don’t need to shy away from any other central defensive partnerships in the world,” Schlotterbeck said.
“Jonah [Tah] issues the orders. He’s louder than me. He organizes the defensive line. He communicates and guides, and if we perform the way we have in recent matches, then we will be excellent,” Schlotterbeck added.
For Tah, serving as Germany’s key defender, the World Cup has been a long time in the making.
Edited by: Chuck Penfold