With consecutive World Cups ending at the group stage, Die Mannschaft are aiming to progress for the first time since they won the tournament in 2014.
Germany had never failed to advance from consecutive FIFA men’s World Cup group stages until four years ago.
The past two tournaments were a rough reckoning for the 2014 champions, and although they were not victorious on home soil at EURO 2024, Julian Nagelsmann has instilled a new standard into the squad.
Germany head to North America with Manuel Neuer in goal, with the last-remaining active 2014 winner reversing his decision to retire from international duty after the Euros. This new-look team is a promising one, eager to chase the fifth star.
Die Mannschaft have been drawn into Group E with World Cup first-timers Curaçao, three-time AFCON winners Côte d’Ivoire and South Americans Ecuador, who qualified with the continent’s second-best record.
Quick facts
- Captain: Joshua Kimmich
- Manager: Julian Nagelsmann
- World Cup appearances (including 2026): 21
- Best World Cup result: Winners (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014)
FIFA World Cup 2026 – Germany’s full squad
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Alexander Nubel (Monaco)
Defenders: Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Nathaniel Brown (Frankfurt), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich, captain), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid, vice-captain), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle)
Midfielders: Nadiem Amiri (Mainz), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Pascal Gross (Brighton), Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart), Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Alexander Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool)
Forwards: Maximilian Beier (Borussia Dortmund), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Leroy Sane (Galatasaray), Denis Undav (Stuttgart), Nick Woltemade (Newcastle)