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Team profile

Germany

Projected squad breakdown, formation notes, and match context for Germany heading into the 2026 World Cup.

Team analysis

Germany enter their home World Cup 2026 with renewed optimism under Julian Nagelsmann. Die Mannschaft have rebuilt following disappointing recent tournaments, blending experienced veterans like Joshua Kimmich and Ilkay Gundogan with exciting young talents including Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala. Playing on home soil adds motivation for a nation seeking redemption.

Tactical breakdown

Nagelsmann implements a possession-based 4-2-3-1 that emphasizes quick passing and intelligent movement. Kimmich anchors the midfield with his exceptional distribution. Wirtz and Musiala provide creativity from attacking midfield positions. Havertz operates as a false nine, dropping deep to link play. Full-backs offer width, while the center-backs focus on building from the back under pressure.

Key players

Jamal Musiala is the creative genius, capable of unlocking any defense with his dribbling and vision. Florian Wirtz provides goals and assists from midfield with his intelligent movement. Joshua Kimmich dictates tempo with his passing range and tactical intelligence. Kai Havertz leads the line with technical quality, while Antonio Rudiger organizes the defense.

Group stage outlook

Germany face a challenging group stage that will test their credentials as one of the tournament favorites. Every match will be crucial for building momentum toward the knockout rounds.

Full squad

A. Nübel

A. Nübel

GK🏳️ Germany
F. Dahmen

F. Dahmen

GK🏳️ Germany
Manuel Neuer
83

Manuel Neuer

GK🏳️ Germany

Bayern Munich

Marc-André ter Stegen
85

Marc-André ter Stegen

GK🏳️ Germany

Barcelona

O. Baumann

O. Baumann

GK🏳️ Germany
Oliver Baumann
84

Oliver Baumann

GK🏳️ Germany

Hoffenheim

A. Rüdiger

A. Rüdiger

CB🏳️ Germany
Antonio Rüdiger
85

Antonio Rüdiger

CB🏳️ Germany

Real Madrid

Benjamin Henrichs
80

Benjamin Henrichs

RB🏳️ Germany

RB Leipzig

D. Raum

D. Raum

CB🏳️ Germany
David Raum
83

David Raum

LB🏳️ Germany

RB Leipzig

J. Tah

J. Tah

CB🏳️ Germany
Jonathan Tah
87

Jonathan Tah

CB🏳️ Germany

Bayer Leverkusen

Joshua Kimmich
89

Joshua Kimmich

RB🏳️ Germany

Bayern Munich

M. Mittelstädt

M. Mittelstädt

CB🏳️ Germany
M. Thiaw

M. Thiaw

CB🏳️ Germany
Maximilian Mittelstädt
82

Maximilian Mittelstädt

LB🏳️ Germany

Stuttgart

N. Brown

N. Brown

CB🏳️ Germany
N. Collins

N. Collins

CB🏳️ Germany
N. Schlotterbeck

N. Schlotterbeck

CB🏳️ Germany
Nico Schlotterbeck
86

Nico Schlotterbeck

CB🏳️ Germany

Borussia Dortmund

R. Koch

R. Koch

CB🏳️ Germany
Robin Koch
80

Robin Koch

CB🏳️ Germany

Eintracht Frankfurt

W. Anton

W. Anton

CB🏳️ Germany
A. Ouédraogo

A. Ouédraogo

CM🏳️ Germany
A. Pavlović

A. Pavlović

CM🏳️ Germany
A. Stiller

A. Stiller

CM🏳️ Germany
Aleksandar Pavlović
81

Aleksandar Pavlović

CDM🏳️ Germany

Bayern Munich

F. Nmecha

F. Nmecha

CM🏳️ Germany
F. Wirtz

F. Wirtz

CM🏳️ Germany
Florian Wirtz
88

Florian Wirtz

CAM🏳️ Germany

Bayer Leverkusen

İlkay Gündoğan
81

İlkay Gündoğan

CM🏳️ Germany

Barcelona

J. Kimmich

J. Kimmich

CM🏳️ Germany
Jamal Musiala
88

Jamal Musiala

CAM🏳️ Germany

Bayern Munich

K. Schade

K. Schade

CM🏳️ Germany
L. Goretzka

L. Goretzka

CM🏳️ Germany
N. Amiri

N. Amiri

CM🏳️ Germany
P. Groß

P. Groß

CM🏳️ Germany
P. Nebel

P. Nebel

CM🏳️ Germany
Pascal Groß
78

Pascal Groß

CM🏳️ Germany

Borussia Dortmund

R. Andrich

R. Andrich

CM🏳️ Germany
R. Baku

R. Baku

CM🏳️ Germany
Robert Andrich
80

Robert Andrich

CDM🏳️ Germany

Bayer Leverkusen

S. El Mala

S. El Mala

CM🏳️ Germany
Toni Kroos

Toni Kroos

CM🏳️ Germany

Retired

Chris Führich
76

Chris Führich

LW🏳️ Germany

Stuttgart

Deniz Undav
81

Deniz Undav

ST🏳️ Germany

Stuttgart

J. Burkardt

J. Burkardt

ST🏳️ Germany
J. Leweling

J. Leweling

ST🏳️ Germany
K. Adeyemi

K. Adeyemi

ST🏳️ Germany
Kai Havertz
82

Kai Havertz

CF🏳️ Germany

Arsenal

L. Sané

L. Sané

ST🏳️ Germany
Leroy Sané
82

Leroy Sané

RW🏳️ Germany

Bayern Munich

M. Beier

M. Beier

ST🏳️ Germany
Maximilian Beier
79

Maximilian Beier

ST🏳️ Germany

Borussia Dortmund

N. Füllkrug

N. Füllkrug

ST🏳️ Germany
N. Woltemade

N. Woltemade

ST🏳️ Germany
Niclas Füllkrug
78

Niclas Füllkrug

ST🏳️ Germany

West Ham

S. Gnabry

S. Gnabry

ST🏳️ Germany
Serge Gnabry
83

Serge Gnabry

RW🏳️ Germany

Bayern Munich

Tim Kleindienst
81

Tim Kleindienst

ST🏳️ Germany

Borussia Mönchengladbach

Match context

Scheduled matches (earliest first)

Qualification snapshot

Preparation and route context

Recent warm-up form plus the qualification path that led Germany into the tournament.

Route
FIFA World Cup Qualifying - UEFA
Qualification record
5W-0D-1L
Latest qualifier
Monday, November 17, 2025

W vs Slovakia

Latest friendly
Friday, June 7, 2024

W vs Greece

Recent friendlies

International warm-up record: 3W-1D-0L

Latest: W vs Greece