Latest WC 2026 News - USA, Canada & Mexico

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. Nominating the final 26-man squad is a complex puzzle of sporting form, injury setbacks, 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 a reliable centre-back pairing, Nagelsmann continues to experiment. Antonio Rüdiger is considered a certainty, but players like Jonathan Tah, Nico Schlotterbeck and recently in-form Waldemar Anton are competing for starting positions alongside him. 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 is waiting for the return of his key players. Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala are considered the creative heart of the team, complemented by Robert Andrich and the versatile Pascal Groß. One factor that is increasingly receiving attention is the integration of young talent: players like Aleksandar Pavlovic, Angelo Stiller or Tom Bischof could still cause surprises in spring 2026, should they confirm their form at their clubs.

Up front, Niclas Füllkrug has recently established himself as a flexible player, but the competition is fierce. Kai Havertz, Tim Kleindienst and Deniz Undav are vying for the role of central striker. On the wings, Leroy Sané will have to fight his way back into the squad after his difficult phase, while Karim Adeyemi, Maximilian Beier and the recovered Marc-André ter Stegen replacement in goal – currently Oliver Baumann – are also on the list.

Nagelsmann himself has repeatedly emphasised that character and team cohesion play as important a role as individual quality. The experiences from Euro 2024, where the DFB team failed in the quarter-finals against eventual winners Spain, have shown how important an established hierarchy is. Captain Kimmich, Manuel Neuer – should he continue to be available – and Rüdiger form the core of experienced leaders who are to provide stability for the young team.

Another decisive factor will be the preparation itself. After the Bundesliga season, the DFB is planning an intensive training camp, likely in North America, to acclimatise early to the climate, time zones and long journeys. Friendlies 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 a role as a co-favourite. The draw for the group stage will show how difficult the path to the knockout stage will be. One thing is clear: after the World Cup group stage eliminations in 2018 and 2022 as well as the solid Euro 2024 performance, there is a new sense of self at the DFB. Nagelsmann wants to attack with a modern, bold playing philosophy and a balanced mix of experience and youth.

The coming weeks will show who makes the cut for the final squad. However, one thing is certain: the competition for places 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.