Herzogenaurach, Germany – Julian Nagelsmann has named his starting lineup for Germany’s friendly against Ghana, with a few notable changes from the recent 4-3 victory over Switzerland. The match, taking place on Saturday, March 30, 2026, serves as a final tune-up before Nagelsmann announces his squad for the upcoming World Cup, with the team set to begin their training camp in Herzogenaurach on May 24th.
As expected, Nagelsmann has rotated his goalkeepers, handing Alexander Nübel his third international cap in place of Oliver Baumann. Baumann, however, remains a strong contender for the number one spot at the World Cup. The changes don’t stop there, with Nagelsmann also adjusting his forward line.
The Germany Starting XI vs. Ghana
Nübel – Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Brown – Groß, Stiller – Havertz, Gnabry, Wirtz – Woltemade.
Woltemade Leads the Line, Undav on the Bench
Nick Woltemade earns a starting position up front alongside Kai Havertz, while Deniz Undav, who has been in impressive form with 36 goal contributions in 38 games this season, will have to settle for a place on the bench. Nagelsmann explained that Undav is still in his plans, stating, “It is planned that he will get playing minutes. As he has earned it.”
This selection suggests Nagelsmann is carefully evaluating his options in attack ahead of the World Cup. Havertz continues to receive opportunities, and Woltemade’s inclusion provides a different dynamic to the forward line. The coach emphasized the importance of clarity for the players, saying, “Every player knows exactly where he stands, whether the World Cup place is safe or not so safe. And it would mean a lot to my credibility with the player and the meaningfulness of a role discussion if I then overturned everything if I did everything differently in the test games.”
Further Changes to the Lineup
Beyond the changes in goal and attack, Nagelsmann has also given opportunities to Nathaniel Brown and Pascal Groß. Seven players from the starting eleven against Switzerland retain their places. Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Brown form the back four, a unit that is likely to be a key component of Germany’s defense at the World Cup.
Angelo Stiller slots into central midfield alongside Groß, replacing Leon Goretzka. Serge Gnabry and Florian Wirtz will provide attacking support from the flanks, operating behind Woltemade and Havertz. Leroy Sané, who had a quiet game against Switzerland, is among the substitutes.
What This Means for Germany
This friendly against Ghana represents a final chance for players to impress Nagelsmann before the World Cup squad is finalized on May 12th. The coach is clearly using the match to assess his options and fine-tune his tactical approach. The selection of Woltemade and the continued faith in Havertz suggest Nagelsmann is open to different attacking combinations.
The midfield pairing of Groß and Stiller is also intriguing, offering a blend of creativity and defensive solidity. The back four, largely unchanged from the Switzerland game, provides a degree of continuity and stability.
Germany will be looking to build momentum heading into the World Cup, and a strong performance against Ghana will be crucial. The match provides a valuable opportunity to test different combinations and refine the team’s tactical approach. The focus will be on solidifying the defense, creating chances in attack, and building a cohesive unit capable of competing at the highest level.
The game against Ghana is a significant step in Germany’s preparations for the World Cup. Nagelsmann’s selections demonstrate his commitment to evaluating all available options and building a team capable of challenging for the title. The players will be eager to seize their opportunity and make a lasting impression on the coach.
Following the match against Ghana, all eyes will be on the announcement of the final World Cup squad. Nagelsmann will have some difficult decisions to make, but the friendly against Ghana will undoubtedly provide valuable insights and help him select the best possible team to represent Germany on the world stage.
Fans can follow the match and subsequent squad announcement on the official DFB website and through major sports news outlets. The World Cup promises to be a thrilling tournament, and Germany will be hoping to make a significant impact.
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