Herzogenaurach, Germany – March 19, 2026 – Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann today unveiled his squad for upcoming international friendlies against Switzerland on March 27th and Ghana on March 30th. These matches serve as vital preparation ahead of the FIFA World Cup this summer, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The selection features a blend of familiar faces and emerging talent, signaling Nagelsmann’s intent as he builds towards the tournament.
Nagelsmann is slated to announce his preliminary World Cup roster on May 16th, with the final 26-man squad to be submitted to FIFA in early June. The upcoming friendlies provide a crucial opportunity to assess players in a competitive environment before those final decisions are made.
Among the notable inclusions are Kai Havertz of Arsenal and Antonio Rüdiger of Real Madrid, both returning to the national team setup. Stuttgart’s Deniz Undav also earns a recall. However, the squad is without Jamal Musiala, who is currently dealing with ongoing ankle issues following his return to action with Bayern Munich. Niclas Füllkrug, Karim Adeyemi, and Angelo Stiller were also omitted from the roster.
The squad features a few surprises, notably the call-ups for Anton Stach, currently playing for Leeds United, and VfB Stuttgart’s Josha Vagnoman. Pascal Groß of Brighton & Hove Albion also receives a deserved opportunity, marking a return to the international fold after a period of absence. These selections demonstrate Nagelsmann’s willingness to consider players from across Europe’s top leagues.
Seven players hail from Bayern Munich, while Stuttgart contributes four to the squad. A significant seven players currently compete in the English Premier League, highlighting the growing influence of English football on the German national team. The team will convene in Herzogenaurach on Monday, March 23rd, to begin preparations for the matches.
The Squad in Detail
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (TSG Hoffenheim), Alexander Nübel (VfB Stuttgart), Jonas Urbig (FC Bayern München)
Defenders: Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Nathaniel Brown (Eintracht Frankfurt), Pascal Groß (Brighton & Hove Albion), Joshua Kimmich (FC Bayern München), Alexander Pavlovic (FC Bayern München), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Anton Stach (Leeds United), Jonathan Tah (FC Bayern München), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle United), Josha Vagnoman (VfB Stuttgart)
Attackers: Serge Gnabry (FC Bayern München), Leon Goretzka (FC Bayern München), Kai Havertz (FC Arsenal), Lennart Karl (FC 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 inclusion of Bayern Munich talents Lennart Karl and Jonas Urbig represents a clear signal of Nagelsmann’s faith in the next generation of German players. Karl, a promising attacker, brings youthful exuberance, while Urbig’s consistent performances have clearly impressed the national team manager.
Nagelsmann has indicated he’s moving past extensive experimentation as the World Cup draws closer. “The core of the team is relatively established,” he stated. “Our routines are clear, both offensively, and defensively. We’ve played identically in every game since the European Championship. Now we have more variability. We demand to adapt to react to opponents. We’re mixing things up a bit, but it’s no longer about experimenting.”
The absence of Jamal Musiala is a blow, but a precautionary one given his recent injury concerns. The medical teams at Bayern Munich and the national team agreed that it was best to manage his fitness and avoid risking further injury ahead of a crucial summer.
The matches against Switzerland and Ghana will provide a stern test for the German side. Switzerland, consistently a strong European nation, will offer a tactical challenge, while Ghana, a physical and dynamic African team, will test Germany’s resilience. These games are not merely friendlies; they are crucial steps in Nagelsmann’s preparation for the World Cup.
Fans eager to follow the action can stream the match against Ghana on Joyn starting at 8:45 PM local time (20:45 CET) on March 30th. The match against Switzerland will be broadcast on RTL and streamed via ran.joyn.
Germany’s next confirmed action after these friendlies will be the announcement of the preliminary World Cup squad on May 16th. Fans will be keenly awaiting that announcement, eager to notice which 26 players Nagelsmann believes will lead the nation’s challenge for glory in North America.
What are your thoughts on Nagelsmann’s squad selection? Share your opinions in the comments below!
