Germany's World Cup Qualifiers Shake-Up: Nagelsmann Names a Bold, Youthful Squad
2 octobre 2025
Overview
Julian Nagelsmann, the German national team coach, revealed the squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Northern Ireland. Germany is set to face Luxembourg on October 10 and Northern Ireland on October 13.
Key selections and strategy
The list features a major surprise with the omission of striker Niclas Füllkrug, and Nagelsmann did not recall Maximilian Mittelstädt and Pascal Groß after a disappointing start to qualifying. Nico Schlotterbeck returns from Borussia Dortmund, while Nathaniel Brown from Eintracht Frankfurt earns the sole new call-up.
Squad composition and roles
Brown, at 22, is earmarked as a left‑back option, replacing Mittelstädt in the 24-man squad. Nagelsmann stressed the goal of securing two wins to keep direct World Cup qualification within reach, even if it means parting with some players.
He also underscored the belief that the squad has the quality to deliver a stronger showing than in recent fixtures.
Youthful attacking push
Three young attackers are highlighted in the plan: Alexander Pavlovic from Bayern Munich, Felix Nmecha from Borussia Dortmund, and a trio of up‑and‑comers in Burkardt, Beier, and Volltimad to spearhead the offense.
Beier and Burkardt, alongside Nmecha, are expected to energize the forward line, while the absence of Füllkrug remains a talking point as the squad prepares for the October fixtures.
Goalkeeping and defense
In goal, Oliver Baumann, Vince Dahmen, and Alexander Nubel are named as the trio. The defense features familiar names such as Nico Schlotterbeck and Robin Koch, with a blend of experience and emerging talent across the back line.
Context and outlook
Germany's national team has a storied World Cup history but has faced recent challenges, with qualification paths now hinging on finishing top of the group. The October matches could set the tone for the rest of the campaign, including potential playoff routes in 2026 if needed.
As Nagelsmann put it, the aim is two wins and clear progress toward the World Cup, with the squad poised to adapt as the season unfolds.
Surprise in the squad: a refreshed attack and a defensive rebalancing show a clear intent to chase results from the outset.
Group dynamics: the group rewards a mixture of seasoned pros and rising talents, signaling a strategic shift toward longer-term development while seeking immediate success.
Final notes
Historically, Germany has navigated World Cup qualifiers with mixed results in past campaigns, but this squad signals ambition and experimentation in pursuit of a deep run in the 2026 tournament.
Punchline time: If this squad were a car, it’d be a sports sedan—fast, flashy, and occasionally needing a pit stop to reboot the engine of hope.
Punchline 2: And if they still miss the group, at least the press conference will give us more drama than a reality show finale. Stay tuned!
