Germany at the World Cup 2026 | Squad, Fixtures & Odds

World Cup 2026 group and fixtures

Germany were drawn into Group E at World Cup 2026 alongside Curaçao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador. The Curaçao opener at NRG Stadium on 14 June is the gentle introduction; Ivory Coast in Toronto is the tactical test against the Elephants’ physical, athletic forwards; the Ecuador group decider in East Rutherford on 25 June is the rematch of the 2006 World Cup group stage that Germany won 3-0.

Germany World Cup 2026 squad

The squad below reflects Nagelsmann’s selection from the March 2026 friendlies against Switzerland (won 4-3) and Ghana (won 2-1). Musiala was omitted with an ankle relapse but is expected back for the tournament; Manuel Neuer (retired 2024) and İlkay Gündoğan (retired post-Euro 2024) are no longer involved. The final 26-man tournament squad will be confirmed in May 2026.

Goalkeepers (provisional, as of March 2026)

Defenders (provisional, as of March 2026)

Midfielders (provisional, as of March 2026)

Forwards (provisional, as of March 2026)

How Germany will play

Nagelsmann’s default is a 4-2-3-1, with Kimmich operating as an inverted right-back who steps into midfield in possession. Pavlović and Goretzka screen the back four; Wirtz takes the No 10 role; Sané and Musiala flank Woltemade. The whole structure is built to give Wirtz touches in the half-spaces and let Musiala break low blocks one-on-one.

The strength is elite midfield creativity through Wirtz, Musiala and Kimmich, plus the deepest pool of attacking talent Germany have produced since 2010. The Bayern-Dortmund-Liverpool spine gives Nagelsmann a tactical familiarity rare in international football, and qualifying conceded just three goals in six matches.

The weakness is at the very top of the pitch. Woltemade and Undav are still untested at elite-tournament level, with Havertz used as a connector rather than a true No 9. Full-back depth behind Kimmich and Raum is thin; Musiala’s ankle, which kept him out of the Euro 2024 quarter-final and the March 2026 friendlies, remains a recurring concern. The defining tactical battle is Ivory Coast in Toronto on 20 June — Germany’s double pivot will need to handle the Elephants’ transition threat while Wirtz and Musiala try to unlock a deep block.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1)

Predicted starting XI — 4-2-3-1. Captain: Joshua Kimmich.

Manager: Julian Nagelsmann

Nagelsmann took the Germany job in September 2023, replacing Hansi Flick, and led Die Mannschaft to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals on home soil — eliminated 2-1 by Spain in extra time. UEFA Group A qualifying yielded P6 W5 D0 L1, with the only blemish a 1-0 defeat to Northern Ireland in Belfast in October 2025. Now 38, he is the youngest manager Germany have ever sent to a World Cup.

Captain: Joshua Kimmich

Kimmich captains Germany from the right-back / midfielder hybrid role at Bayern Munich. Permanent skipper under Nagelsmann from Euro 2024 onwards, equally effective stepping into central midfield from the right-back slot, and the team’s set-piece specialist with arguably the best delivery of any defender at the tournament. Wears the No 6 shirt for club and country.

Germany players to watch at World Cup 2026

Florian Wirtz — Attacking midfielder, Liverpool

Germany’s creative heartbeat, signed by Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in 2025. A press-resistant playmaker with elite vision, Wirtz drives the team’s transitions — a name to watch in the Golden Boot market as a co-favourite to top-score for Germany.

Jamal Musiala — Forward, Bayern Munich

Once-in-a-generation dribbler whose tight close control unlocks low blocks. Battling back from the ankle injury suffered at Euro 2024 and a March 2026 relapse — his fitness will define how far Germany can push in the knockouts.

Joshua Kimmich — Right-back / captain, Bayern Munich

Captain and tactical metronome. Nagelsmann’s on-pitch lieutenant, equally effective at right-back or in midfield, and the team’s set-piece specialist with arguably the best delivery of any defender at the tournament.

Antonio Rüdiger — Centre-back, Real Madrid

Champions League winner and the team’s most experienced organiser. His aggression and recovery pace are the bedrock of Germany’s high line — partners Tah at the back at club and country level.

Kai Havertz — Forward, Arsenal

Versatile Premier League forward used by Nagelsmann as a connector between midfield and attack. Penalty taker and aerial threat — scored against Ghana in the March 2026 friendly.

How Germany qualified for World Cup 2026

Germany topped UEFA Group A with 15 points from six matches — P6 W5 D0 L1, GF16 GA3 — finishing comfortably ahead of Slovakia and Northern Ireland. Nick Woltemade led the scoring chart with four goals, and Wirtz finished as the campaign’s leading assister.

The standout result was the 6-0 home win over Slovakia in Leipzig on 17 November 2025 — the result that sealed top spot in style, with Woltemade, Gnabry, Sané and others all on the scoresheet. The setback came in October: a 1-0 defeat away to Northern Ireland at Windsor Park, the only loss of the campaign and a reminder that this rebuilding side can still drop a flat performance against committed opposition.

Germany’s World Cup history

Germany are football aristocracy in transition. Four world titles (1954, 1974, 1990 as West Germany; 2014 as unified Germany), four runner-up finishes and four third-place finishes — eight finals in total, joint-second most all-time alongside Brazil and Argentina. The 1954 Miracle of Bern broke Hungary’s four-year unbeaten run; the 1974 home win over the Netherlands established a generation; the 1990 Italy final beat Argentina 1-0 (Brehme penalty); and the 2014 Maracanã final ended with Mario Götze’s extra-time volley against Argentina.

Two moments tower over the rest. The 1954 Miracle of Bern — outsiders West Germany 3-2 Hungary in the final, breaking the favourites’ four-year unbeaten run and reviving post-war German national pride. And the 2014 Brazil 1-7 Germany semi-final at Belo Horizonte — the most astonishing scoreline in World Cup history, five goals in 18 first-half minutes, with Miroslav Klose breaking Ronaldo’s all-time WC scoring record en route to the country’s fourth title.

Germany’s recent form

Last five senior internationals (most recent first):

• 30 Mar 2026 — Ghana — 2-1 W — Friendly (Stuttgart)
• 27 Mar 2026 — Switzerland — 4-3 W — Friendly (St. Jakob-Park, Basel)
• 17 Nov 2025 — Slovakia — 6-0 W — WC qualifying (Red Bull Arena, Leipzig)
• 14 Nov 2025 — Luxembourg — 4-0 W — WC qualifying
• 13 Oct 2025 — Northern Ireland — 0-1 L — WC qualifying (Windsor Park)

Four wins from the last five — the only loss in the run was that flat night in Belfast — and Havertz scored against Ghana in the most recent friendly. Nagelsmann has the rhythm and the goals heading into the tournament.

Germany World Cup 2026 odds

Germany are 14/1 with bet365 to win the World Cup outright — sitting outside the top tier in the World Cup winner odds behind Spain, France, England and Argentina. Group E is essentially a coronation: 1/4 to top it, 1/40 to qualify, 8/15 to reach the quarter-final. The deeper markets — 5/2 to reach the semi-final and 6/1 to reach the Final — price in a knockout run that hinges on Musiala’s fitness and Woltemade’s nerve.

Odds correct as of 30 April 2026 and subject to change. For the full World Cup 2026 outright market, group winners and golden-boot specials, see our World Cup 2026 betting hub.

Head-to-head record

Germany vs Curaçao

The first-ever senior meeting between the two nations. Curaçao are tournament debutants from CONCACAF, and Germany are heavy odds-on to take three points in the Houston opener on 14 June.

Germany vs Ivory Coast

Two previous senior meetings, both ending level. Limited tournament history between the sides — the 20 June 2026 fixture at BMO Field will be the first competitive game between the two nations and the first World Cup meeting.

Germany vs Ecuador

Two senior meetings, both Germany wins. The most relevant is the 2006 World Cup group stage in Berlin — Germany 3-0 Ecuador, en route to a third-place finish on home soil. The 25 June 2026 rematch in East Rutherford is the group decider.

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