Germany – World Cup 2026
Seeking redemption for back-to-back group stage exits, Germany head into the 2026 FIFA World Cup eager to restore pride on the global stage.
Die Mannschaft flopped in Qatar four years ago and will be keen to redeem themselves in North America.
Read on as we offer a comprehensive guide to Germany at the FIFA World Cup this summer.
Germany at the 2026 World Cup
- Group: E
- Manager: Julian Nagelsmann
- Captain: Joshua Kimmich
- Best finish: Winners (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014)
- Next match: Germany vs Curacao
After failing to reach the knockout stages in two consecutive World Cup appearances for the first time in the nation’s history, Germany will be under significant pressure heading into the 2026 edition.
Debutants Curacao (FIFA-ranked 82nd) can hardly throw a spanner in the works, as Die Mannschaft gun for a coveted top-place finish in Group E.
However, the Ivory Coast (34th) and Ecuador (23rd) could present a far sterner challenge, with the former looking to make it out of the World Cup group stage for the first time.
Meanwhile, Ecuador’s four World Cup appearances have all come in the 21st century, though La Tri advanced to the knockout stages only once.
If Germany win the group, they will take on the third-placed team from Group A/B/C/D/F.
Latest Germany News
Germany Fixtures
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Germany Squad
| Player | Club | Position | Age | Caps | Goals |
| Manuel Neuer | Bayern Munich | Goalkeeper | 40 | 124 | 0 |
| Oliver Baumann | TSG Hoffenheim | Goalkeeper | 35 | 11 | 0 |
| Alexander Nubel | VfB Stuttgart | Goalkeeper | 29 | 3 | 0 |
| Antonio Rudiger | Real Madrid | Defender | 33 | 82 | 3 |
| Waldemar Anton | Borussia Dortmund | Defender | 29 | 12 | 0 |
| Jonathan Tah | Bayern Munich | Defender | 30 | 45 | 1 |
| Nico Schlotterbeck | Borussia Dortmund | Defender | 26 | 25 | 0 |
| Nathaniel Brown | Eintracht Frankfurt | Defender | 22 | 3 | 0 |
| David Raum | RB Leipzig | Defender | 28 | 36 | 1 |
| Malick Thiaw | Newcastle United | Defender | 24 | 5 | 0 |
| Aleksandar Pavlovic | Bayern Munich | Midfielder | 22 | 9 | 1 |
| Joshua Kimmich | Bayern Munich | Midfielder | 31 | 108 | 10 |
| Leon Goretzka | Bayern Munich | Midfielder | 31 | 69 | 15 |
| Jamie Leweling | VfB Stuttgart | Midfielder | 25 | 4 | 1 |
| Jamal Musiala | Bayern Munich | Midfielder | 23 | 40 | 8 |
| Pascal Gross | Brighton & Hove Albion | Midfielder | 34 | 18 | 1 |
| Angelo Stiller | VfB Stuttgart | Midfielder | 25 | 7 | 0 |
| Florian Wirtz | Liverpool | Midfielder | 23 | 39 | 10 |
| Nadiem Amiri | Mainz 05 | Midfielder | 29 | 9 | 1 |
| Felix Nmecha | Borussia Dortmund | Midfielder | 25 | 6 | 1 |
| Lennart Karl | Bayern Munich | Midfielder | 18 | 2 | 0 |
| Kai Havertz | Arsenal | Forward | 26 | 57 | 21 |
| Nick Woltemade | Newcastle United | Forward | 24 | 10 | 4 |
| Maximilian Beier | Borussia Dortmund | Forward | 23 | 7 | 0 |
| Leroy Sane | Galatasaray | Forward | 30 | 74 | 16 |
| Deniz Undav | VfB Stuttgart | Forward | 29 | 7 | 4 |
Germany Manager
Known for his tactical flexibility and modern, high-intensity playing style, Nagelsmann quickly built a reputation as one of Europe’s most promising young managers, with numerous top clubs vying for his signature.
The 38-year-old has been tasked with restoring Germany’s identity after recent underwhelming World Cup performances and early exits, but his side faltered at another major tournament two years ago.
Spain ended Die Mannschaft’s 2024 UEFA European Championship run in the quarter-finals, casting further doubt on Germany’s ability to restore the glory days of the past.
However, lifting the World Cup title would be a crowning achievement for Nagelsmann, who could return to club management after the tournament. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done.
Route to the Final
If Germany win their group:
- Round of 32: Monday, June 29: Germany vs Group A/B/C/D/F 3rd-placed team
- Round of 16: Sunday, July 4: Germany vs Group I winner/Group C/D/F/G/H 3rd-placed team
- Quarter-final: Thursday, July 9: Germany vs Brazil
- Semi-final: Tuesday, July 14: Germany vs Spain
- Final: Sunday, July 19: Germany vs France
If Germany are group runners-up:
- Round of 32: Monday, June 29: Germany vs Group I runners-up
- Round of 16: Sunday, July 5: Germany vs Group C winners/Group F runners-up
- Quarter-final: Saturday, July 11: Germany vs England
- Semi-final: Wednesday, July 15: Germany vs Portugal
- Final: Sunday, July 19: Germany vs Argentina
Key Players
Antonio Rudiger
With 82 caps, Rudiger is the second most-capped player in the current squad and a key figure in Nagelsmann’s defensive set-up despite entering the autumn of his playing career.
Bayern Munich star Jonathan Tah may have enjoyed a stronger season at club level, but the 33-year-old remains a trusted presence thanks to his experience, leadership and consistency on the international stage.
Joshua Kimmich
One of the most experienced members of the squad, Kimmich remains the metronome of Germany’s midfield, dictating tempo with his passing range and tactical intelligence.
Under Nagelsmann, Die Mannschaft’s captain continues to play a hybrid role, operating in midfield and deeper defensive areas depending on the circumstances.
Florian Wirtz
It’s been a terrible maiden Premier League season for Wirtz, who has failed to live up to his €125 million price tag at Liverpool, already throwing his long-term future at Anfield into doubt.
The upcoming World Cup could offer him the perfect stage to rediscover his best form and silence his critics, though his first-team status is hanging in the balance.
Jamal Musiala
Having recently returned from a lengthy injury lay-off, Musiala is ready to shine again, just as he did at Euro 2024, forging an exciting midfield partnership with Wirtz.
Despite being sidelined for over half a season, Musiala’s creativity and technical ability remain central to Nagelsmann’s attacking system, with the 23-year-old expected to play a prominent role in Germany’s tournament ambitions.
Nick Woltemade
Woltemade has fared reasonably well in his first season at Newcastle United, even though Eddie Howe has recently started using him as an advanced playmaker.
However, he is likely to lead the line for Germany this summer after finishing as his team’s top scorer in the qualifying circle.
Germany World Cup History
Germany’s first World Cup success came in 1954 in Switzerland. Their second title came on home soil in 1974, before they completed a memorable hat-trick of World Cup triumphs in Italy in 1990.
However, since lifting the crown in Brazil back in 2014, Die Mannschaft have gone quiet, suffering back-to-back group stage eliminations in Russia and Qatar.
In search of good omens, Germany reached the final at ‘Mexico 1986,’ only to lose to Diego Maradona’s Argentina, while their tournament run at ‘United States 1994’ stopped at the quarter-finals.
| Year | Round | P | W | D | L | F | A |
| 1930 | Did not enter | ||||||
| 1934 | Third place | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 8 |
| 1938 | First round | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| 1950 | Banned | ||||||
| 1954 | Champions | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 25 | 14 |
| 1958 | Fourth place | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 14 |
| 1962 | Quarter-finals | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| 1966 | Runner-up | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 6 |
| 1970 | Third place | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 10 |
| 1974 | Champions | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 4 |
| 1978 | Quarter-finals | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 5 |
| 1982 | Runners-up | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 10 |
| 1986 | Runners-up | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 7 |
| 1990 | Champions | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 5 |
| 1994 | Quarter-finals | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 7 |
| 1998 | Quarter-finals | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 6 |
| 2002 | Runners-up | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 3 |
| 2006 | Third place | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 6 |
| 2010 | Third place | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 5 |
| 2014 | Champions | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 4 |
| 2018 | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 2022 | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 |
FAQs
Has Germany won the World Cup?
Yes. Germany won the World Cup four times. Only Brazil boast more titles. Their most recent success came in 2014.
Who is the Julian Nagelsmann manager?
Julian Nagelsmann. At 38, he is set to become the youngest manager in modern World Cup history.
How did Germany fare in the last World Cup?
Germany failed to progress from the group stages in 2022. They finished third in Group E, behind Spain and Japan.
Who has made the most appearances for Germany?
Lothar Matthaus. He won 150 caps from 1980 to 2000.
Who has scored the most goals for Germany?
Miroslav Klose netted 71 goals in 137 appearances for Die Mannschaft between 2001 and 2014.
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