According to local media outlet İdman.Biz, Germany have opted against using a charter flight for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Instead, the team quietly traveled on a regular commercial flight from Frankfurt Airport to the United States.

Reports indicate that nearly 300 ordinary passengers were on the same flight as the German squad. Before departure, the players and staff posed for photos with the flight crew at the aircraft stairs. Travelers in the departure lounge also received a special surprise, as members of the delegation personally handed official Germany national team jerseys to lucky fans, creating a warm and memorable atmosphere.

However, a boarding photo of the squad quickly drew criticism on social media, with some fans mocking its disorganized appearance and comparing it unfavorably to the polished, "male model" image Germany had cultivated at previous World Cups.

Another notable difference is that Germany had traditionally traveled to World Cups via charter flights. At the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, the team reportedly transported 12 tons of supplies to ensure optimal training and match conditions, making them the most heavily equipped of the 32 participating nations. The reported cargo included 18,000 liters of beer, 700 kilograms of sausages and 300 kilograms of potatoes. Ironically, despite the extensive preparations, the defending champions were eliminated in the group stage.

That said, the accuracy of this story remains uncertain. The report originated from a post published by the German national team's official Spanish-language social media account, but the information was not simultaneously shared on the team's German- or English-language channels. As of now, that single post remains the only source of the claim.

Whether Germany actually brought 18,000 liters of beer, 700 kilograms of sausages and 300 kilograms of potatoes to Russia in 2018 may no longer be the most important question. What remains striking is the contrast between the two approaches: Germany's high-profile preparations as defending champions in 2018 ultimately ended in a shocking early exit, a result that still serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in football.