It's hard to believe the 2026 World Cup will be Jonathan Tah's first. The 30-year-old is coming off the best season of his career and has a vast amount of experience with over 300 Bundesliga appearances. His path to the top though, has been far from straightforward, and that journey is one he appreciates today.
"A World Cup is something special and I'm so excited to be at the first," Tah said in the days ahead of Germany's opener. "I felt how big this tournament is and I'm very grateful to be here. It means a lot. I spoke to my family and friends, and they have noticed that special atmosphere is missing somewhat so I hope German fans bring out their flags soon, and we can of course help with that by playing well."
Tah has certainly been doing that. He is one of the most reliable defenders in Europe, as his first season at Bayern Munich proved. He helped seal a domestic double, and, according to Opta, finished the Bundesliga season with the highest pass completion rate (96%), a record for players since data collection began nearly 20 years ago. That statistic might not suggest he's always the most progressive defender with the ball at his feet, but he's not always the conservative defender. Against Atalanta in the Champions League this season, he completed 24 long passes into the opponent's half, which was a competition record for the campaign. His ability to pick the pass from distance is perhaps underrated.
