Jamal Musiala
The main creative reference. Fit again after a broken leg suffered at the 2025 Club World Cup, the Bayern Munich forward is the player who unlocks deep defences and the one Germany will build their attack around.
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Team Guide · 2026 World Cup
Germany at the 2026 World Cup
Germany arrive at the 2026 World Cup chasing a record-equalling fifth title and, just as importantly, a reset after two group-stage exits in a row. Under Julian Nagelsmann, the squad is built around the young brilliance of Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, with the surprise return of Manuel Neuer at 40 and Joshua Kimmich keeping the captaincy. They land in Group E with Curacao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador. This is the squad by position, the group, the fixtures and the case for Die Mannschaft in North America.
4
World Cup Titles
26
The Squad
E
Group
2014
Last Title
Squad confirmed. Julian Nagelsmann named Germany's 26 on 21 May 2026. The headline call: Manuel Neuer returns at 40 as first-choice goalkeeper, having reversed his international retirement, with Serge Gnabry the most notable name left out. Joshua Kimmich keeps the captaincy and Jamal Musiala is fit after his 2025 leg break. Germany open against Curacao on 14 June in Houston.
The Key Players
The spine of Nagelsmann's Germany
Germany's 2026 squad pairs two of the most exciting young attackers in the world with a backbone of experience. These are the names the tournament will turn on.
Florian Wirtz
The other half of the future. The Liverpool playmaker and Musiala dovetail beautifully in the final third, and getting both on the pitch and on song is Nagelsmann's central tactical project.
Joshua Kimmich
The captain and the glue. The versatile Bayern man can play right-back or in midfield, and he keeps the armband even with Neuer back. He sets the tone for how Germany press and build.
Manuel Neuer
Back at 40 for a fifth World Cup. Neuer reversed his post-Euro 2024 retirement and is Nagelsmann's first choice in goal, his experience and command of the box the emotional storyline of the squad.
Antonio Rudiger
The defensive leader. The Real Madrid centre-back brings aggression and big-game experience to a back line that Germany will need to keep solid if they are to go deep.
Kai Havertz
The focal point up front. The Arsenal forward gives Germany a tall, technical centre-forward who links play and finishes, with the emerging Nick Woltemade pushing him hard for the role.
The 26
Germany's squad by position
Here is Germany's confirmed 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup as named by Julian Nagelsmann: three goalkeepers, eight defenders, ten midfielders and five forwards. Joshua Kimmich is captain and can operate in defence or midfield. Clubs are shown for each name.
Goalkeepers
3 in the squad
- Manuel NeuerBayern Munich
- Oliver BaumannHoffenheim
- Alexander NübelStuttgart
Defenders
8 in the squad
- Joshua KimmichCaptain
- Antonio RüdigerReal Madrid
- Jonathan TahBayern Munich
- Nico SchlotterbeckDortmund
- Waldemar AntonDortmund
- Malick ThiawNewcastle
- David RaumRB Leipzig
- Nathaniel BrownFrankfurt
Midfielders
10 in the squad
- Jamal MusialaBayern Munich
- Florian WirtzLiverpool
- Leon GoretzkaBayern Munich
- Aleksandar PavlovićBayern Munich
- Angelo StillerStuttgart
- Leroy SanéGalatasaray
- Pascal GroßBrighton
- Felix NmechaDortmund
- Nadiem AmiriMainz
- Lennart KarlBayern Munich
Forwards
5 in the squad
- Kai HavertzArsenal
- Nick WoltemadeNewcastle
- Deniz UndavStuttgart
- Maximilian BeierDortmund
- Jamie LewelingStuttgart
The shape of the squad tells the story: ten midfielders, reflecting Nagelsmann's fluid, possession-heavy approach and the versatility of players such as Kimmich, who can drop into defence. The youngest name is 18-year-old Bayern attacker Lennart Karl, one of the new faces alongside the established core.
Left at Home
The notable omissions
A squad of 26 always leaves out experienced names, and Nagelsmann's selection generated debate over both who travelled and who stayed home.
Serge Gnabry
The most notable omission. The Bayern Munich forward, a regular in recent Germany squads, missed the final 26 as Nagelsmann balanced his attacking options around Musiala, Wirtz and Sane.
A clutch of veterans
Reporting noted that several established names fell outside the squad as Nagelsmann leaned towards younger, in-form options, part of the wider reset of the national team.
The Neuer call
Recalling a 40-year-old as first choice was itself a statement of intent, pushing younger goalkeepers down the order and prioritising experience and command in the biggest moments.
Group E
The group and the fixtures
Germany were drawn into Group E with Curacao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador. Curacao are debutants and the outsiders, Ivory Coast bring real pace and recent African Cup of Nations pedigree, and Ecuador are an organised, physical South American side. Germany play across three countries in the group stage, taking in the United States, Canada and a return to the US.
Germany vs Curacao
Sun 14 Jun 2026
Germany vs Ivory Coast
Sat 20 Jun 2026
Ecuador vs Germany
Thu 25 Jun 2026
The Curacao opener kicks off in the early afternoon in Houston, with the Toronto and New Jersey games in the late afternoon Eastern time. For the full picture of all 104 games, see the WorldCuply.com match schedule, and read about the seeds in our guide to the 12 Pot 1 nations, where Germany sit alongside the other top seeds.
The Reset
Can Germany rebuild into contenders?
Germany have not won the World Cup since 2014, and the years since have been chastening: group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022, and a quarter-final defeat as hosts at Euro 2024. The 2026 edition is framed as the next step:
- Two generational talents. Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz give Germany a creative pairing the equal of anything in the tournament. If both stay fit and click, this team can beat anyone.
- Experience restored in goal. Recalling Manuel Neuer is a calculated bet on big-game composure, even if it means leaning on a 40-year-old across a long tournament.
- A midfield-heavy build. Ten midfielders signal Nagelsmann's intent to dominate the ball and press hard, with Kimmich the pivot who can shift between defence and the engine room.
- The striker question. Kai Havertz and the rising Nick Woltemade give Germany contrasting options up front, but turning chances into goals against deep blocks has been a recurring issue.
- The bar is the latter stages. After two first-round exits, simply navigating the group is the immediate task, but a nation with four stars expects to be back among the contenders.
Germany are not among the very top favourites in 2026, with Spain, France, Brazil and Argentina rated ahead of them by the markets, but few teams have a higher ceiling if Musiala and Wirtz hit form together. The reset is well underway; 2026 is the test of how far it has come.
Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions
Who is Germany's coach for the 2026 World Cup?
Julian Nagelsmann is Germany's head coach for the 2026 World Cup. He took charge in 2023 and led the host nation to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024. He named his 26-man World Cup squad on 21 May 2026.
Is Manuel Neuer in Germany's 2026 World Cup squad?
Yes. Manuel Neuer is back in the Germany squad for the 2026 World Cup at the age of 40, having reversed his post-Euro 2024 international retirement. Nagelsmann has confirmed the Bayern Munich captain as his first-choice goalkeeper, ahead of Oliver Baumann and Alexander Nubel. It is set to be Neuer's fifth World Cup.
Who is Germany's captain for the 2026 World Cup?
Joshua Kimmich is Germany's captain for the 2026 World Cup. The versatile Bayern Munich player keeps the armband despite the return of Manuel Neuer, and is central to how Nagelsmann sets the team up.
Is Jamal Musiala fit for the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. Jamal Musiala has recovered from the broken leg he suffered at the Club World Cup in 2025 and is in Germany's squad. Nagelsmann has said the Bayern Munich forward has been getting better and still has time to build up his match rhythm before the tournament.
What group are Germany in at the 2026 World Cup?
Germany are in Group E at the 2026 World Cup, alongside Curacao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador. Ivory Coast and Ecuador are seen as the main tests, with Germany expected to be favourites to top the group.
What are Germany's group fixtures at the 2026 World Cup?
Germany play Curacao on 14 June 2026 at NRG Stadium in Houston, then Ivory Coast on 20 June at BMO Field in Toronto, and finally Ecuador on 25 June at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Who did Germany leave out of the 2026 World Cup squad?
The most discussed omission was Serge Gnabry, who missed out as Nagelsmann balanced his attacking options. Several other established names also fell outside the final 26 as the manager leaned on a younger, in-form group.
How many World Cups have Germany won?
Germany have won the World Cup four times (1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014). A fifth title in 2026 would draw them level with Brazil's record of five. Their last triumph came in Brazil in 2014.
Why is 2026 described as a reset for Germany?
Germany were eliminated in the group stage at both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, their two worst results in the modern era, and reached only the quarter-finals as hosts of Euro 2024. The 2026 squad, built around Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, is framed as the next step in rebuilding the team back into contenders.
Keep Reading
More 2026 World Cup coverage
Germany are one of 48 nations heading to the 2026 World Cup. Explore the rest of the WorldCuply.com guide:
Spain
The European champions who knocked Germany out of Euro 2024, and de la Fuente's Group H squad.
Read the Spain guide ›France
The world's top-ranked team, Mbappe's France and Deschamps' last tournament in Group I.
Read the France guide ›Superstars to Watch
The top 12 players going to the 2026 World Cup, including Germany's Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala.
View the top 12 ›Match Schedule
All 104 fixtures across 16 host cities, with kickoff times you can filter to your team.
Open the schedule ›Sources
Where this page comes from
This guide was hand-written from the following reporting and reference pages, used to confirm Germany's squad, group and fixtures:
• FIFA: Neuer named in Germany's World Cup squad
• Bundesliga: Manuel Neuer makes Germany return for the World Cup 2026 squad
• Al Jazeera: Germany World Cup 2026 team preview, players to watch, group and squad list
• FOX Sports: Germany World Cup 2026 schedule, locations, dates, times
• Wikipedia: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group E
• Bundesliga: Manuel Neuer makes Germany return for the World Cup 2026 squad
• Al Jazeera: Germany World Cup 2026 team preview, players to watch, group and squad list
• FOX Sports: Germany World Cup 2026 schedule, locations, dates, times
• Wikipedia: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group E
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