This article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a collaboration between some of the best media organizations from the 48 countries that qualified. Theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day leading up to the tournament, which kicks off on June 11.
The Plan
Predicting Germany’s tactics isn’t straightforward because Julian Nagelsmann likes to change his lineup and system. The result was five mediocre to poor performances in the qualifiers, including a 2-0 loss to Slovakia that could have been much worse. But they were convincing in the return match, winning 6-0, and topped their group comfortably.
Nagelsmann will likely base his team on that match in Leipzig and will demand passion from his players. “We have to play with emotion,” says Nagelsmann, who is known as a tactical obsessive and is often seen shouting and raging on the sidelines.
Germany’s traditional recipe for success has been to adopt what works well at Bayern Munich, as they did in 1974 and 2014 when they won the World Cup. The chances of repeating that look good at first: this season has gone exceptionally well for Germany’s only world-class club. So Nagelsmann will probably rely on a Bayern core of Jonathan Tah, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Jamal Musiala, and impact substitute Lennart Karl (with Serge Gnabry out injured), as well as Manuel Neuer, who ended his international retirement in May to play in his fifth World Cup.
But can the Bayern core be trusted? Musiala is out of form and has been no more influential for Bayern in recent months than Goretzka, who sat on the bench for all the important matches in the second half of the season but still seems certain to start under Nagelsmann. And Kimmich will play a different position for Germany than he does for Bayern: right-back instead of central midfield. It’s a risky solution.
Quick Guide
Germany: Group E fixtures
Show
14 June v Curaçao, Houston (noon local, 6pm BST, 15 June 3am AEST)
20 June v Côte d’Ivoire, Toronto (4pm local, 9pm BST, 21 June 6am AEST)
25 June v Ecuador, New York/New Jersey (4pm local, 9pm BST, 26 June 6am AEST)
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Kimmich represents a problem in German football: a lack of individual class. He’s certainly a master of the traditional virtues, but as captain, his weaknesses in tackles and one-on-one situations mean he doesn’t measure up to predecessors like Lothar Matthäus, Michael Ballack, or Philipp Lahm. Germany also used to pride themselves on their goalkeepers and defenders. That’s lacking too, despite the return of the 40-year-old Neuer. And there are no midfield strategists in the mold of Toni Kroos or Mesut Özil.
The hope lies up front. In the No. 10 role, Nagelsmann has plenty of options in Florian Wirtz, Musiala, Kai Havertz, and Karl, all of whom have outstanding skills. He’ll probably use Havertz as a deep-lying center-forward, since there was never any doubt about the Arsenal forward’s technical ability, only his efficiency. Will he be more clinical than he was at Euro 2024? He’ll need to be, because with Niclas Füllkrug and Nick Woltemade still not established, this is a team without a classic goalscorer.
Germany
The Coach
More and more figures in German football are criticizing Julian Nagelsmann. Most recently, Uli Hoeness accused him of misunderstanding his role. “Our national coach thinks he wins the match. No, the team wins the match,” said Bayern Munich’s still-influential honorary president. Nagelsmann has achieved little more than a run of mixed results, and he keeps making life difficult for himself with odd remarks. After the 2-1 win over Ghana in March, irritated by questions, he publicly scolded his match-winner, Deniz Undav. A decade ago, as a very young coach, he saved Hoffenheim from relegation and soon after led the club into the Champions League. He’s only 38, but the promise many thought they saw in him…The prediction that he would become great—even a genius—has yet to come true.
The star player
Florian Wirtz combines the skills of a playmaker with the work ethic of a tireless team player, a rare mix. “He works extremely hard and isn’t a classic No. 10 who just wants the ball. He puts in a lot of effort too,” said Nagelsmann, who defended Wirtz when he faced criticism in the months after moving to England. Wirtz didn’t have a terrible season at Liverpool, but given his talent and transfer fee, it wasn’t a great one either. The same goes, to some extent, for the national team. Against weaker opponents—like in the 4-3 win over Switzerland in March—Wirtz can shine with his technique and link-up play with Havertz or Karl. But if Germany wants to succeed, the 23-year-old will need to perform against top teams.
[Image: Germany will need Florian Wirtz to leave his Liverpool struggles behind. Photograph: Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters]
One to watch
At age 10, Lennart Karl had a trial at the Bernabéu but chose to stay in Germany. When he said in January that Real Madrid was his dream club and he definitely wanted to play there one day, some Bayern fans took offense. Yet it’s likely this mix of confidence and easygoing attitude that defines the 18-year-old. A year ago, he played for Bayern’s under-19s; now his dribbling is feared everywhere. He made his international debut in March. “He’s calmer than I expected,” said Nagelsmann. “I didn’t get any sense that the hype had gone to his head.”
Unsung hero
Nico Schlotterbeck and Antonio Rüdiger get more attention, but Germany’s best defender is Jonathan Tah. His strength in tackles and composure on the ball will be key. Tah isn’t a man of many words and comes across as quiet off the pitch. On it, though, he seems to have found his role, and in the United States, he’ll play his first World Cup match at age 30. “It was never pleasant playing against me because I have a certain physicality,” he told Zeit two years ago. “But now I’m even more unpleasant because I always keep my opponent in sight and stay right on him.”
Probable starting XI
[Image: Germany Illustration: Guardian]
What to expect from fans at games?
“Olé, super Deutschland, olé!” “Deutschlaand, Deutschlaaand, Deutschlaaaand!” German terrace chants can’t quite match the creativity of Musiala’s or Karl’s dribbling, and during the home Euros two years ago, Nagelsmann complained that Germany’s fans were too quiet. Being typically German, the DFB set up a working group in 2024 to improve the atmosphere: the AG Stimmung. “People want to sing; they just need someone to tell them what to sing,” said lead chanter Bengt Kunkel. However, Kunkel won’t travel to the United States. He feels the same as many fans, for whom this World Cup is simply too big and too expensive. Even so, there will probably be a few more supporters in the US, Mexico, and Canada than there were in Qatar.
Relationship with the US/Trump?
Much like German football, it’s seen better days. At the end of April, Friedrich Merz criticized Donald Trump in front of school students, saying he had gone to war with Iran without any real strategy. Trump responded that Merz had no idea what he was talking about and was doing a terrible job. That it may not always be wise to say every thought out loud is something the chancellor and the national coach still need to learn—the latter has had to backtrack several times in his career. No one should expect any sign of rebellion from the DFB in the United States. There was some talk in Germany about boycotting the World Cup because of the Greenland crisis, but it didn’t last long. The DFB still seems traumatized by the One Love armband affair at the World Cup in Qatar. “I’m no longer taking part in the political discussion,” said captain Joshua Kimmich. “We’ve seen that it’s not really productive.””When we players speak out politically, it’s effective.” Written by Nico Horn and Oliver Fritsch for Die Zeit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about Germanys team for the 2026 World Cup written in a natural helpful tone
Basics Team Overview
Q When is the 2026 World Cup and where is it being played
A It will be held in the summer of 2026 cohosted by the United States Canada and Mexico
Q Has Germany already qualified for the 2026 World Cup
A Not yet European qualification matches havent started Germany will need to finish high in their qualifying group to secure a spot
Q Who is the current head coach of the German national team
A Julian Nagelsmann is the head coach He took over in September 2023 and is expected to lead the team through the 2026 World Cup
Q Are there any key players from the 2014 World Cup win still on the team
A No Players like Manuel Neuer Thomas Mller and Toni Kroos have either retired from the national team or will likely have retired by 2026 The team is now built around a younger generation
Players Squad
Q Who are the star players Germany will likely rely on in 2026
A Expect key players to be Jamal Musiala Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz These are the creative attacking talents the team will build around
Q Is there a new generation of young talent coming through
A Yes Players like Aleksandar Pavlovi and Maximilian Beier are highly rated Keep an eye on Youssoufa Moukoko if he gets consistent playing time
Q Who will be the goalkeeper
A Its a big question MarcAndré ter Stegen is the likely starter but he has had injury issues Young keepers like Gregor Kobel or Noah Atubolu could challenge for the spot
