There’s a quiet shift happening in German football. After two early World Cup exits, the Germany national football team is rebuilding with a new generation of players under head coach Julian Nagelsmann. This guide covers the current squad, starting 11, upcoming matches, and preparations for the 2026 World Cup – everything you need to follow die Nationalmannschaft.

4 related posts

Number of World Cup titles: 4 · FIFA ranking (November 2024): 16 · Head coach: Julian Nagelsmann · Most capped player: Lothar Matthäus (150 caps) · Top scorer: Miroslav Klose (71 goals)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Final 2026 World Cup squad composition
  • Who will be captain in 2026
  • Exact match schedule beyond 2025 season
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Rebuild with young talents (Musiala, Wirtz, Havertz)
  • Target: return to World Cup finals after early exits
  • Friendly matches vs. top European teams in 2025

Seven key facts that define the Germany national football team:

Founded 1908
FIFA ranking 16 (November 2024)
World Cup titles 4
Head coach Julian Nagelsmann
Captain Joshua Kimmich
Top scorer Miroslav Klose (71 goals)
Most caps Lothar Matthäus (150)

Who are the Germany national football team players in 2026?

What is the starting 11 for 2026?

Nagelsmann’s preferred formation is a 4-2-3-1 based on the March 2026 squad. Here’s the predicted starting lineup:

Position Player Club
Goalkeeper Oliver Baumann TSG Hoffenheim
Right-back Joshua Kimmich (captain) FC Bayern Munich
Centre-back Jonathan Tah FC Bayern Munich
Centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck Borussia Dortmund
Left-back David Raum RB Leipzig
Defensive midfield Angelo Stiller VfB Stuttgart
Defensive midfield Robert Andrich Bayer Leverkusen
Right wing Jamal Musiala FC Bayern Munich
Attacking midfield Florian Wirtz Bayer Leverkusen
Left wing Kai Havertz Arsenal
Striker Deniz Undav VfB Stuttgart

Source: Bundesliga (German top-flight league)

The pattern: Kimmich’s shift to right-back and the Stiller-Andrich double pivot reflect Nagelsmann’s prioritization of defensive structure.

Who are the current players now?

  • Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Alexander Nübel (Stuttgart), Jonas Urbig (Bayern Munich) – FourFourTwo (football magazine)
  • Defenders: Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Robin Gosens (Fiorentina) – Goal.com (football news)
  • Midfielders: Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen), Pascal Gross (Borussia Dortmund), Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund)
  • Forwards: Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart), Leroy Sané (Bayern Munich)

What are the squad numbers?

Squad numbers are assigned per tournament, but some constants: Joshua Kimmich wears #6, Jamal Musiala #14, Florian Wirtz #7, and Kai Havertz #9 in recent call-ups. Official numbers for 2026 will be confirmed before the World Cup – check DFB (German Football Association) for updates.

Bottom line: Nagelsmann is building a young, flexible squad around Kimmich, Musiala, and Wirtz. For German fans, the trade-off is clear: short-term inconsistency for long-term competitiveness by 2026.
Why this matters

The average age of the March 2026 squad is 25.6. This is the youngest Germany has gone into a World Cup cycle since the 2006 golden generation. The consequence: a real shot at a deep run in 2026, but only if the young core gels in time.

What is the starting 11 for Germany national football team?

Nagelsmann’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation relies on a settled back four and a creative midfield trio. The eleven listed above (Baumann; Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Raum; Stiller, Andrich; Musiala, Wirtz, Havertz; Undav) has been used in recent friendlies and Nations League matches.

Nagelsmann values defensive solidity from the full-backs and gives creative freedom to Musiala and Wirtz. The starting 11 is largely set, with only the striker role still being tested.

The implication: Kimmich’s positional shift is the tactical anchor of this rebuild, allowing Nagelsmann to field two creative No. 10s simultaneously.

What are the upcoming Germany national football team matches?

Match Competition Date Venue
Germany vs. Netherlands Nations League March 2025 Allianz Arena, Munich
Germany vs. Italy Friendly June 2025 Olympiastadion, Berlin
World Cup Qualifier (opponent TBD) UEFA Qualification September 2025 Home (TBD)
World Cup Qualifier (opponent TBD) UEFA Qualification October 2025 Away (TBD)

Sources: DFB (German Football Association) and UEFA (European football body)

Germany’s path to the 2026 World Cup depends on a strong Nations League campaign and smooth qualification. With a young squad, every match is a test of Nagelsmann’s rebuild.

The catch

Germany’s FIFA ranking (16th as of November 2024) means they won’t be seeded in all qualification pots. That could lead to a tougher group draw, raising the stakes for the Nations League results that affect seeding.

How is the Germany national football team preparing for the 2026 World Cup?

  • Qualification campaign starts in March 2025 under UEFA rules – UEFA (European football body)
  • Training camps and friendlies planned against Netherlands, Italy, and other top teams – DFB (German Football Association)
  • Integration of young talents: Musiala, Wirtz, Havertz, and first call-up Jonas Urbig – FIFA (world football governing body)
  • Nagelsmann emphasizes tactical flexibility, shifting between 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-3 depending on opposition – Bundesliga (German top-flight league)

The preparation is as much about building team chemistry as it is about qualifying. Nagelsmann has spoken publicly about using the Nations League as a laboratory for the World Cup.

The implication: every Nations League match doubles as a high-stakes rehearsal for the tournament proper.

Bottom line: Nagelsmann is betting on youth and tactical flexibility. For the DFB, the consequence is clear: either this generation matures in time for 2026, or Germany faces a third consecutive early exit.

What is the official website of the Germany national football team?

The official home of the Germany national football team is dfb.de/en, maintained by the German Football Association (DFB). The site offers:

  • News, match reports, and exclusive interviews
  • Full squad profiles with stats
  • Match calendar with ticket purchasing options
  • Official merchandise store: dfb-fanshop.de

Germany’s kits for 2026 are manufactured by Adidas and feature the classic white home shirt with black trim and green accents. Customization and pricing are available via the DFB fan shop.

Related reading: Africa World Cup Qualifiers – 2026 Standings Results Qualified Teams · Eintracht Frankfurt vs Liverpool – Preview, Lineups and Prediction

Additional sources

espn.com, youtube.com, national-football-teams.com

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Frequently asked questions

What is the nickname of the Germany national football team?

It is often called “Die Mannschaft” (The Team) internationally, though German fans commonly say “Nationalelf” (National Eleven).

Who is the all-time top scorer for Germany?

Miroslav Klose holds the record with 71 goals in 137 appearances.

When was the Germany national football team founded?

The team was founded in 1908, although the DFB (Deutscher Fußball-Bund) was established in 1900.

What colors does the Germany national team play in?

Home kit is white with black trim; away kit often features green accents, a nod to the German tricolor.

Where do Germany play their home matches?

The team rotates among major stadiums including the Allianz Arena (Munich), Olympiastadion (Berlin), Signal Iduna Park (Dortmund), and others.

How can I buy tickets for Germany matches?

Tickets are sold through the official DFB website and the DFB fan shop. Membership in a fan club may offer priority access.

What is the DFB?

The Deutscher Fußball-Bund (DFB) is the governing body of football in Germany, founded in 1900. It oversees all national teams.

Who is the most capped player for Germany?

Lothar Matthäus holds the record with 150 caps for the senior national team (1980–2000).

Editor’s note

Squad details as of March 2026 are based on official call-ups and media reports. The final 23-man World Cup squad will be confirmed in May 2026. For German fans, the right move is clear: support Nagelsmann’s rebuild, or risk another early exit in 2026.