Bayern Munich will face VfB Stuttgart in the DFB-Pokal final on May 23, 2026, creating a scenario where the Bundesliga could secure up to nine European qualification spots depending on the outcome.
The match will grab place at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, with kickoff scheduled for 2:00 PM EDT (18:00 UTC). This marks the fourth meeting between the two teams this season across all competitions.
Bayern Munich earned their place in the final with a 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the first semifinal on April 23, 2026. VfB Stuttgart secured their spot by defeating SC Freiburg 2-1 in extra time on April 24, 2026, with the winning goal coming from substitute Tiago Tomás in the 119th minute.
The DFB-Pokal final presents significant implications for European qualification. If Bayern Munich wins the cup and likewise finishes in the top four of the Bundesliga, the seventh-place league finisher would qualify for the UEFA Europa League. If Stuttgart wins the cup but finishes outside the top six, they would earn automatic qualification for the Europa League group stage.
According to current Bundesliga standings as of April 24, 2026, Bayern Munich leads the table while VfB Stuttgart is positioned to qualify for the UEFA Champions League through league performance. The potential for nine European spots arises from the combination of direct league qualifications, cup winners’ pathways, and performance-based allocations under UEFA’s access list.
Stuttgart’s path to the final included a dramatic semifinal against Freiburg where Maximilian Eggestein opened the scoring for the visitors in the 28th minute. Deniz Undav equalized for Stuttgart in the 70th minute before Tomás secured the victory deep into extra time. Referee Tobias Welz concluded the match shortly after Tomás’ goal, ending Freiburg’s hopes of consecutive final appearances.
Bayern Munich’s route to the final featured a clean sheet against Leverkusen, continuing their strong defensive form. The Bavarians have previously won the DFB-Pokal in 1986 and 2013, and are seeking their third title against Stuttgart in the competition’s history.
Head coach Sebastian Hoeneß described the Freiburg match as an “emotional overload” following Stuttgart’s hard-fought victory. The win marks Stuttgart’s second consecutive DFB-Pokal final appearance, a first in club history.
The fixture history between these sides this season includes a 2-1 Bayern victory in the DFL-Supercup in August 2025, along with Bundesliga results of 5-0 and 4-2 in favor of Bayern. Stuttgart will look to break this pattern in the cup final while aiming to secure European football through either league position or cup success.
As the Bundesliga season enters its final stretch, the outcome of the DFB-Pokal final will directly influence how many German clubs participate in UEFA competitions next season. The allocation of European spots remains contingent on both the cup result and final league standings, creating multiple scenarios for Bundesliga representation in continental tournaments.
Fans can follow official updates through the DFB’s website and Bundesliga communications as the May 23 final approaches. The winner will be awarded the DFB-Pokal trophy and automatic qualification for the 2026-27 UEFA Europa League group stage, unless they qualify for the Champions League through league performance, in which case the Europa League spot transfers to the highest-ranked unfinished league team.
What are your thoughts on how the DFB-Pokal final outcome will affect Bundesliga clubs’ European hopes? Share your predictions in the comments below.
