This article is part of the 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a collaboration involving top media organizations from the 48 nations that qualified. Previews from three countries are being published daily leading up to the tournament, which is set to commence on June 11.
Tactical Approach
Understanding Germany’s tactics can be challenging, as coach Julian Nagelsmann frequently alters his lineup and strategies. This variability led to a series of underwhelming performances during the qualifiers, highlighted by a 2-0 loss in Slovakia that could have been a heavier defeat. However, they rebounded convincingly in the return match, dominating their opponents 6-0 and finishing atop their group.
Nagelsmann is likely to draw from the successful lineup used in that Leipzig match and will insist on high energy and commitment from his players. “We have to play with emotion,” Nagelsmann stated, known for his tactical focus and intense presence on the sidelines.
Historically, Germany has thrived by integrating successful elements from Bayern Munich, mirroring approaches that led to World Cup victories in 1974 and 2014. The outlook for another triumph seems promising, especially given Bayern’s strong performance this season. Consequently, Nagelsmann may rely on a core group of Bayern players, including Jonathan Tah, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, and Jamal Musiala, while Manuel Neuer returns from international retirement to participate in his fifth World Cup.
Yet, reliance on the Munich group raises questions. Musiala has struggled with consistency, and Goretzka has been sidelined during crucial matches, despite being a likely starter under Nagelsmann. Additionally, Kimmich will shift from his usual central midfield role to right-back, which introduces potential risks.
Kimmich’s situation highlights a broader issue in German football: a scarcity of standout individual talent. While he embodies traditional football virtues, his shortcomings in tackling and one-on-one situations fall short of the legacy set by former captains like Lothar Matthäus, Michael Ballack, or Philipp Lahm. The team has also lost its historical edge in goalkeeping and defense, despite Neuer’s return. Furthermore, there seems to be a lack of midfield playmakers akin to Toni Kroos or Mesut Özil.
On the offensive front, hope lies in the attacking options available to Nagelsmann in the No 10 position. He can choose from Florian Wirtz, Musiala, and Kai Havertz, all of whom possess exceptional skills. Havertz is likely to serve as a deeper center-forward; while his technical prowess is undisputed, questions linger regarding his goal-scoring efficiency. He must improve on his Euro 2024 performance, as the squad currently lacks a traditional goal scorer, with Niclas Füllkrug and Nick Woltemade still seeking to establish themselves.
Coaching Critique
Criticism of Julian Nagelsmann is growing among figures in German football. Recently, Uli Hoeness accused him of misunderstanding his role, stating, “Our national coach thinks he wins the match. No, the team wins the match,” Nagelsmann’s mixed results and peculiar comments have made his tenure challenging. After a 2-1 victory over Ghana in March, he expressed irritation at being questioned about Deniz Undav, the match-winner. Once a young coach who saved Hoffenheim from relegation and led them to the Champions League, Nagelsmann, now 38, has yet to fulfill the promise many saw in him as a potential great or even a genius.
Star Player Spotlight
Florian Wirtz stands out for his unique blend of playmaking ability and relentless work ethic. “He is extremely hard-working and not a classic No 10 who only wants the ball, but someone who also puts in a lot of work,” Nagelsmann commented, defending Wirtz amid criticism following his transfer to England. Although Wirtz did not have a disastrous season at Liverpool, it fell short of expectations given his talent and transfer fee. The same sentiment applies to his national team contributions. In matches against lesser opponents, such as the 4-3 victory against Switzerland in March, Wirtz showcased his technical skills and synergy with Havertz and Musiala. However, for Germany to succeed, the 23-year-old will need to deliver against top-tier teams.
Emerging Talents
With Lennart Karl sidelined due to injury before the tournament, Denis Undav may find himself with unexpected opportunities this summer, despite not always aligning with Nagelsmann’s vision. The former Brighton striker was the most effective German forward this season, yet Nagelsmann has not seemed to value his contributions. Undav scored the decisive goal in the friendly against Ghana, but the coach offered no praise, instead criticizing him for a lack of involvement prior to the goal. “He wasn’t very involved in the game, had no actions before [the goal],” Nagelsmann remarked. This criticism may have arisen from Undav’s pre-match declaration that he believed he deserved a starting position rather than being a substitute. While Nagelsmann’s assessment may have merit, his public remarks were unusual. The coach could find it challenging to ignore the supporters’ calls for Undav’s inclusion, given his natural finishing abilities.
Defensive Backbone
While Nico Schlotterbeck and Antonio Rüdiger often receive more accolades, Jonathan Tah is Germany’s most reliable defender. His tackling strength and composure under pressure will be vital. Although he tends to be quiet off the field, Tah has embraced his role on it. As he prepares to play in his first World Cup match at age 30, he shared, “I didn’t think his performance was good.”
Projected Starting Lineup
Fan Expectations
Chants like “It was never pleasant playing against me, because I have a certain physicality,” and “But now I’m even more unpleasant, because I always keep my opponent in view and stay right on him.” reflect the spirit of German fans, albeit lacking the creativity of Musiala’s dribbling. During the home Euros two years ago, Nagelsmann expressed dissatisfaction with the fans’ subdued atmosphere. In response, the DFB established a working group in 2024 to enhance the game-day experience: the AG Stimmung. “Olé, super Deutschland, olé!” noted lead chanter Bengt Kunkel. However, Kunkel will not attend the tournament in the United States, as many fans feel this World Cup is prohibitively large and costly. Nevertheless, it’s anticipated that there will be a larger German presence in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada compared to the last tournament in Qatar.
Political Context
Similar to German football, the political landscape has seen better days. Friedrich Merz recently criticized Donald Trump, stating that he had engaged in conflict with Iran without a clear strategy. Trump retorted, claiming Merz lacked understanding and was performing poorly. Both the chancellor and the national coach seem to have learned that expressing every thought publicly can be unwise; Nagelsmann has had to retract statements on multiple occasions. While there was brief discussion in Germany about a potential boycott due to the Greenland crisis, it faded quickly. The DFB appears still affected by the controversy surrounding the One Love armband at the last World Cup. Captain Joshua Kimmich remarked, “Deutschlaand, Deutschlaaand, Deutschlaaaand!”
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