Nagelsmanns Kader-Puzzle: Wie das DFB-Team in den WM-Endspurt geht

08.05.2026 09:30 National Team

The 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico is drawing closer – and for national team coach Julian Nagelsmann, the most important phase of his tenure so far is now beginning. The nomination of the final 26-man squad is a complex puzzle of sporting form, injury misfortune, tactical balance and mental stability. In the coming months, the 38-year-old coach must make decisions that could determine celebration or disappointment in the summer of 2026. Defense remains a central issue. Following Toni Kroos' retirement and the difficult question of finding a reliable center-back pairing, Nagelsmann continues to experiment. Antonio Rüdiger is considered a certainty, but players like Jonathan Tah, Nico Schlotterbeck and the recently in-form Waldemar Anton are competing for starting positions at his side. On the flanks, Joshua Kimmich – possibly back in midfield – as well as David Raum and Maximilian Mittelstädt are likely to be the main candidates. In midfield, Nagelsmann awaits the return of his key players. Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala are considered the creative heart of the team, supplemented by Robert Andrich and the versatile Pascal Groß. One factor increasingly receiving attention is the integration of young talent: players like Aleksandar Pavlovic, Angelo Stiller or Tom Bischof could cause surprises in spring 2026 if they confirm their form at their clubs. In attack, Niclas Füllkrug has recently established himself as a utility player, but competition is fierce. Kai Havertz, Tim Kleindienst and Deniz Undav are vying for the central striker role. On the wings, Leroy Sané will have to fight his way back into the squad following his difficult period, while Karim Adeyemi, Maximilian Beier and the recovered Marc-André ter Stegen replacement in goal – currently Oliver Baumann – are also on the radar. Nagelsmann himself has repeatedly emphasized that character and team cohesion play as important a role as individual class. The experiences from Euro 2024, when the DFB team failed in the quarter-finals to later champion Spain, have shown how important an established hierarchy is. Captain Kimmich, Manuel Neuer – should he remain available – and Rüdiger form the backbone of experienced leaders who should give the young team support. Another decisive factor will be the preparation itself. After the Bundesliga season, the DFB is planning an intensive training camp, presumably in North America, to become accustomed early to the climate, time zones and long travel distances. Friendly matches against top-class opponents are to provide final insights before Nagelsmann announces his final squad – the FIFA deadline is expected to end in early June 2026. Sportingly, Germany is aiming for the role of co-favorite. The group stage draw will show how rocky the path to the knockout stages will be. One thing is clear: after the World Cup group stage exits in 2018 and 2022 as well as the solid Euro 2024 performance, there is a new sense of self-confidence at the DFB. Nagelsmann wants to attack with a modern, courageous style of play and a balanced mix of experience and youth. The coming weeks will show who makes the jump into the final squad. However, one thing is certain: the competition is as intense as it has been in a long time – and that is a good sign for Germany ahead of the 2026 World Cup.