Herzogenaurach – Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann revealed his squad on Thursday for upcoming international friendlies against Switzerland and Ghana, marking a key checkpoint ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The announcement, made at the DFB (German Football Association) campus, included some expected omissions and a few surprises as Nagelsmann assesses his options with the tournament looming.
Nagelsmann’s selections have already generated discussion, with a statement hinting at potentially unpopular decisions (“There will be decisions, I can already reveal that, which will probably not meet with great understanding. Not from the player, but also not from the general public.”) fueling anticipation. The squad reflects a blend of established stars and players vying for a place on the plane to North America.
Musiala Sits This One Out, Focus on Recovery
One notable absence is Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala, but this is precautionary. Nagelsmann explained that the decision was made to prioritize Musiala’s recovery from a recent injury. “We are making the decision that is best for the player,” Nagelsmann stated. While his absence is a blow, the manager emphasized that Musiala remains a key part of his plans for the World Cup, assuming he regains full fitness.
New Faces and Returning Veterans
Alongside the expected core, Nagelsmann has included several players looking to make their mark. Bayern Munich goalkeeper Jonas Urbig receives his first senior call-up, joining Oliver Baumann and Alexander Nübel in the goalkeeping ranks. Club teammate Lennart Karl also earns his first inclusion. Returning to the fold are Kai Havertz and Antonio Rüdiger, both back in contention after recovering from injuries, as are Pascal Groß, Deniz Undav, Josha Vagnoman, and Anton Stach.
Groß has been a consistent performer for Brighton & Hove Albion, while Undav continues to impress with VfB Stuttgart. The inclusions of Vagnoman and Stach are perhaps more surprising, as they hadn’t featured prominently in Nagelsmann’s previous squads. Vagnoman earned a single cap under Hansi Flick, while Stach has two appearances to his name.
Squad Breakdown
The squad demonstrates Nagelsmann’s intent to evaluate players beyond his established starting eleven. He acknowledged that he’s giving opportunities to those with a “realistic chance to jump on the World Cup train.” The manager is clearly looking for depth and competition in all areas of the pitch.
Here’s a look at the full roster:
- Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (TSG Hoffenheim), Alexander Nübel (VfB Stuttgart), Jonas Urbig (Bayern München)
- Defenders: Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Nathaniel Brown (Eintracht Frankfurt), Pascal Groß (Brighton & Hove Albion), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern München), Aleksandar Pavlović (Bayern München), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Anton Stach (Leeds United), Jonathan Tah (Bayern München), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle United), Josha Vagnoman (VfB Stuttgart)
- Forwards: Serge Gnabry (Bayern München), Leon Goretzka (Bayern München), Kai Havertz (FC Arsenal), Lennart Karl (Bayern München), Jamie Leweling (VfB Stuttgart), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Leroy Sané (Galatasaray Istanbul), Kevin Schade (FC Brentford), Deniz Undav (VfB Stuttgart), Florian Wirtz (FC Liverpool), Nick Woltemade (Newcastle United)
“The Door is Not Closed” – Nagelsmann’s Message
Nagelsmann was keen to emphasize that players who didn’t make the cut for this camp are still in contention for a place in the final World Cup squad. “The door is not closed,” he said. This suggests that performances in club football over the coming months will be crucial in influencing his final selections. The March friendlies, serve as an important audition for those on the periphery.
Nagelsmann’s approach mirrors his strategy leading up to and during Euro 2024, where his starting lineup largely mirrored the players he called up for the pre-tournament friendlies. The success of that approach – and the pink-tinged optimism it generated – will likely inform his decisions moving forward.
What’s Next for the German National Team?
The team will convene in Herzogenaurach on Monday to initiate preparations for the matches against Switzerland on March 27th and Ghana on March 30th. Nagelsmann and his new assistant, Alfred Schreuder, will closely observe the players in training and during the games, paying particular attention to their roles and responsibilities. Nagelsmann has previously noted the challenges of integrating players accustomed to leadership roles at their clubs into a supporting role within the national team.
Looking ahead, Germany will face Finland in a friendly on May 31st in Mainz before heading to the USA on June 2nd. A final warm-up match against the United States is scheduled for June 6th in Chicago before the start of the World Cup tournament. The coming months will be critical as Nagelsmann fine-tunes his squad and prepares for the challenges that lie ahead.
The 2026 World Cup promises to be a complex undertaking, not only due to the sporting challenges but also the broader geopolitical context. Nagelsmann’s task is to navigate these complexities and build a team capable of competing at the highest level. The selections for these March friendlies represent a significant step in that process.
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