DFB-Elf Completes Final Preparations for 2026 World Cup with Friendly Against USA

The German national football team, known as the DFB-Elf, concluded its final match ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a friendly against the United States in Chicago on Saturday, June 6, 2026. The game, held at Soldier Field, served as a critical test for coach Julian Nagelsmann’s squad as they fine-tune their preparations for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Context of the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup marks a historic moment for international football, as it will be the first to be hosted by three nations. Germany, fresh off a 2-0 victory over Norway in World Cup qualifying, faces a challenging path to success. The team’s final friendly against the USA provided an opportunity to assess their readiness against a strong opponent, with Nagelsmann emphasizing the importance of the match in his pre-game remarks.

Soldier Field: A Historic Venue

The match took place at Soldier Field, a stadium with a rich history of hosting major sporting events. Built in 1924 and renovated multiple times, the venue has a capacity of 61,500 spectators. The DFB-Elf has a strong record in Chicago, having played there four times with three wins and one draw. The team wore their white home jerseys for the occasion, a stark contrast to their recent appearances in blue away kits.

Squad and Key Players

Coach Julian Nagelsmann assembled a 26-player squad for the match, including captain Joshua Kimmich of FC Bayern Munich. The lineup featured key players such as Kai Havertz, who joined the team from London on Tuesday, and Leroy Sané, whose performance against the USA was highlighted in post-match analyses. The squad also included midfielder Assan Ou