Germany Starting XI and Squad Projection for the 2026 World Cup
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has an interesting task ahead of the him at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Die Mannschaft followed winning the 2014 tournament by being eliminated in the group stages twice in a row. For a team that is always expected to perform, there is little room to get things wrong.
Germany can be considered among the favourites this year, and the expanded tournament size means escaping from a group that also includes Curacao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador shouldn't pose too many issues before the knockouts kick in.
Who will Nagelsmann call on to get the job done? Let's take a look.
Goalkeeper: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim)
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Manuel Neuer's international retirement after Euro 2025 gave the nation's back-up goalkeepers their first clear opportunity at establishing themselves as No. 1 since the iconic sweeper made his international debut in 2009.
It looked like Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, so often Neuer's backup, would be next in line. However, his consistent injury issues has seen Nagelsmann lean on Hoffenheim captain Oliver Baumann throughout World Cup qualifying.
There's no need to change this up. Stuttgart stopper Alexander Nubel and Bayern sub Jonas Urbig will likely make up the trio when the plane departs, with outside shouts like Kevin Trapp or Stefen Ortega missing the cut.
Left Back: David Raum (RB Leipzig)
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Germany have excellent options at left back.
RB Leipzig captain David Raum is well-established in the international setup these days after flitting in and out of the team at Euro 2024.
He's an assists machine and a constant threat whose attacking instincts will cover the wing enough for Florian Wirtz to move narrower to get on the ball.
Frankfurt's Nathaniel Brown has four goals and four assists in the Bundesliga this campaign. Although new to Nagelsmann's setup, he deserves to be Raum's deputy in a squad that will also likely feature Stuttgart's Maximilian Mittelstadt as considerable strength-in-depth.
Centre Back: Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund)
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Left-footed centre backs with great distribution are always in high demand. Luckily for Germany, Nico Schlotterbeck ranks amongst the best and seems to be the man Nagelsmann has settled on to sit next to Raum.
Schlotterbeck brings an air of deliberateness on the ball. He'll set moves on their way and dictate tempo from the back, whether Germany need to slow play down or speed things up.
He'll likely start ahead of Dortmund teammate Waldemar Anton due to the useful balance he has formed with the next man on this list.
Centre Back: Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich)
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Jonathan Tah now holds great responsibility. At 30 years old, and while Antonio Rudiger continues to suffer through injury issues, he is the nation's main physical presence at the back.
The Bayern defender has put together a fine season, delivering on all that potential that was so obvious when Bayer Leverkusen fought to buy him over a decade ago.
Rudiger's return to more playing time could see the Real Madrid man rotate in when needed, while Malick Thiaw's decent debut season at Newcastle could see him added as a versatile option.
Niklas Sule and Thilo Kehrer are among those who looked more likely to make the squad before a ball was kicked this season.
Right Back: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
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Although he's spent most all season playing excellently in Bayern's midfield, Joshua Kimmich will revert to his old right-back positioning in Nagelsmann's setup.
A serial winner and important personality whenever he steps onto the pitch, Kimmich is one of the squad's most experienced stars. His position on the right will limit his time in possession, but his ability to read the game and help direct players is more than enough to make up for it.
The 31-year-old's dead ball delivery is also a cutting weapon for a team that features multiple massive lumps to get on the end of it.
Central Midfield: Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich)
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Vincent Kompany's increased faith in Aleksandar Pavlovic should help Germany at the World Cup.
The 21-year-old has put together an excellent run of form in Bayern's midfield, most notably in the Champions League, suggesting he's ready for the biggest stage of them all.
Nagelsmann doesn't have earth-shattering names to fall back on, so it's all about finding the correct combo in the middle. Pavlovic's energy dovetails well with Bayern colleague Leon Goretzka.
With Emre Can injured, the likes of Felix Nmecha, Anton Stach, Pascal Gross and Angelo Stiller will be considered for squad roles.
Central Midfield: Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich)
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This year's tournament could act as the springboard for Goretzka to find his new club.
The experienced midfielder is leaving Bayern at the end of the season and is likely to be one of the most sought-after free agents of the summer. A big display at the World Cup will only allow him to increase his demands.
The 31-year-old has been in-and-out of Kompany's team this season. However, he provides a quality base to sit in front of the Germany defence. His calmness balances out the youthful energy of Pavlovic and he adds immense power to the middle of the park.
Attacking Midfield: Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)
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Jamal Musiala is regaining fitness at exactly the right time. An injury-ravaged season has severely limited his playing time for club and country, but he's now putting together a run of games that should have him ready for the summer showpiece.
The exact opposite has happened to Serge Gnabry, whose excellent form has been cut short with an adductor issue that will likely see him drop out of the squad.
A fit Musiala would likely take the central attacking role in Nagelsmann's midfield regardless, so the coach will be excited to have the excellent 23-year-old back in the mix.
Musiala's dribbling and ability to beat players is unlike anyone else in the squad. His inventiveness is elite and could be the difference between Germany doing well and going all the way.
Left Wing: Florian Wirtz (Liverpool)
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Much has been made of Florian Wirtz's poor debut season with Liverpool. However, the former Leverkusen man continues to impress in a Germany shirt.
Nagelsmann has deployed him across attacking midfield, with stints out wide and through the middle. He'll likely sit on the left wing, then narrow things up when needed, with plenty of interchanges between him, Musiala and the right winger.
While Wirtz isn't among the players who are playing for a big move this summer, he will feel he has a point to prove. His growing leadership within Nagelsmann's squad highlights the importance of a player who can help define this team for the next decade.
Right Wing: Leroy Sane (Galatasaray)
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Gnabry's injury also comes to the fore again here. Nagelsmann may have opted for Wirtz-Musiala-Gnabry behind the striker, but now we're looking at slightly less exciting options to fill the empty spot.
Leroy Sane is a prime candidate after an okay season with Galatasaray. His experience at major tournaments likely puts him ahead of Stuttgart's Jamie Leweling or Brentford's Kevin Schade, especially with the output of both dropping recently.
A potential wildcard could be Bayern's exciting Lennart Karl, who has all the qualities to be the next big thing in football if he works hard.
The 18-year-old's left foot is a thing of beauty cutting in from the right, and he has an incredible nine goals and six assists in 21 starts and 10 sub appearances for his club this season. Nagelsmann may opt to go safer, if that's the right word, while Germany get up to speed.
Striker: Kai Havertz (Arsenal)
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A theme running through the front end of Nagelsmann's options is fitness. Kai Havertz is one of Germany's most decisive players. He's also a man who can barely string together a few weeks of performances before another issue arises, as shown with his latest Arsenal comeback.
The Gunners star still toes the line between being an attacking midfielder/false 9/striker combo. That works well in Nagelsmann's setup, as he's able to both drop deep while bringing others into play, and find space in the box to capitalise on his teammates' delivery.
Other options include Deniz Undav, who has 18 goals for Stuttgart in the Bundesliga this season and a decent record for Germany. Nick Woltemade's size and bicycle frame is a unique option, although his massive drop-off in form for Newcastle means he'll likely have a bit-part role in the squad.
Full Squad
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GK: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Alexander Nubel (Stuttgart), Jonas Urbig (Bayern Munich).
DEF: Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid), Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle), Maximilian Mittelstadt (Stuttgart), Nathaniel Brown (Frankfurt).
MID: Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool), Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich), Pascal Gross (Brighton), Anton Stach (Leeds), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund).
FWD: Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Leroy Sane (Galatasaray), Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart), Kevin Schade (Brentford), Nick Woltemade (Newcastle), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart).
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