Berlin: Germany is gearing up for the 2026 World Cup with anticipation and determination. The group stage draw, which took place on December 5, set the stage for Germany's matches against debutant Curacao in Houston, followed by games against Ivory Coast in Toronto and Ecuador in New Jersey. The tournament is scheduled to begin on June 11, marking an important chapter for Germany on the world stage.
According to Deutsche Welle, the German national team has secured its place among the 12 European nations qualified for the World Cup, joining 42 of the 48 teams confirmed as of December 25. Germany's head coach, Julian Nagelsmann, is focusing on finalizing the squad, with two home friendlies lined up against Switzerland on March 27 in Basel and Ghana on March 30 in Stuttgart, followed by a match against Finland on May 31 in Mainz. Additionally, a final preparatory match against one of the tournament hosts, the USA, is on the cards.
The announcement of Germany's World Cup squad is anticipated in the last week of May 2026. There is ongoing discussion about whether squad sizes will remain at 26 or increase to 30, in light of the expanded number of teams and matches. The method of announcing the squad is yet to be disclosed, adding an element of intrigue to the team's preparations.
Germany's chances in the tournament appear optimistic, based on their qualifying campaign. Despite two consecutive World Cups ending at the group stage, there is a collective desire to overcome past shortcomings. Concerns linger regarding depth and certain positions, with key players like Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz, and Marc-Andr© ter Stegen working to regain fitness and form. The team's recent victory in Leipzig has bolstered confidence, with fans hopeful that individual performances will translate into collective success on the global stage.
Thomas Klein contributed reporting to this article as part of DW Sports Best of 2025 series, revisiting standout features from the past year. The article has been updated to reflect the World Cup draw earlier in December.