Germany World Cup squad: Lineup and tactics for 2026

Germany are one of the heavyweights of the international game and will be viewed as one of the strongest sides again heading into World Cup 2026. As the cliché goes, you can never rule them out.

Julian Nagelsmann’s side swept tournament debutants Curaçao aside 7-1, and thus few conclusions can be drawn as to how far this current side can go. German fans and media don’t believe the current crop is as strong as that which last achieved major tournament success around at the start of the previous decade.

How Germany lined up against Curaçao

With relatively few out-and-out striking options, Kai Havertz was – and will be – deployed up top, with a trio of star playmakers behind him in Leroy Sané, Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz.

Nathaniel Brown is likely the least familiar name in 11 Nagelsmann named – he plies his trade with Eintracht Frankfurt but has been linked with a move away.

This will be Nagelsmann’s second tournament in charge, and his side impressed at Euro 2024. They bowed out at the quarter-final stage, but only after giving eventual champions Spain their toughest test.

At World Cups, however, it has been a different story in recent times. Since winning it in 2014, Germany endured nightmare tournaments in Russia and Qatar – crashing out of the group in both.

Getting three points on the point early this time almost guarantees Die Mannschaft safe passage into the knockouts this time around. Nagelsmann may swap out one or two for the tougher tests ahead in the Ivory Coast and Ecuador.

Check out our latest World Cup match betting tips and predictions ahead of today’s games

Germany World Cup 2026 squad and predicted lineup: key takeaways

• Germany have crashed out of the group stage at the last two World Cups, making their tournament pedigree a genuine caution against backing them deep into the knockout rounds despite their quality on paper.
• Jamal Musiala is the more interesting goalscorer value pick than Kai Havertz, as Germany’s primary creative threat who also gets into the box, while Havertz is noted as not a natural centre-forward despite starting there.
• Despite not starting against Curaçao, Antonio Rüdiger is the strongest Germany pick in the cards market, with a well-documented tendency to overstep the mark defensively and an injury-hit season that may affect his timing in physical duels.
• The loss of İlkay Gündoğan, Toni Kroos, and Thomas Müller since Euro 2024 represents a significant drop in midfield experience and leadership, making Germany more reliant on Nagelsmann’s coaching than any previous incarnation of this squad.
• Nagelsmann being out of contract in 2028 and this potentially being his only World Cup creates a managerial motivation factor that could influence tactical decisions in tight knockout games, particularly around risk-taking when chasing a result.

Julian Nagelsmann a top coach

Julian Nagelsmann is one of the best managers at the World Cup. This is not a vintage Germany squad, so their coach is one of their biggest assets.

A bright tactician, Nagelsmann’s Germany looked like a club side at Euro 2024 with an energetic and intense approach in and out of possession. 

This will probably be Nagelsmann’s first and last World Cup as Germany boss, with the former Bayern Munich honcho out of contract in 2028. That will make him doubly determined to go all the way this summer.

The star player: Jamal Musiala

Jamal Musiala missed a large chunk of the club season with serious leg break sustained during the Club World Cup last summer, but the England-born attacking midfielder looks sharp. He’s supremely gifted, possessing excellent poise, balance and footwork in tight areas of the pitch.

Musiala is quick and strong too, and Nagelsmann will want to see him break into the box when the ball is out wide. The Bayern Munich man will be at the heart of many of his team’s attacking moves.

He teamed up nicely with Florian Wirtz at the Euros two years ago, and he has the attributes to be both a creator and converter of chances at World Cup 2026.

Musiala is Germany’s most important player.

Germany 2026 World Cup confirmed 26-man squad

How to bet on the Germany World Cup squad

There are specific betting markets relevant to the Germany starting XI for World Cup 2026. One of the most obvious is the anytime goalscorer market.

Although Kai Havertz looks set to be Germany’s starting centre-forward, Jamal Musiala may emerge as their principal goal threat.

For value, consider Leon Goretzka and his darts into the box. 

Another individual player market worth watching is cards. Antonio Rüdiger is a strong contender here. A rugged defender who does not like to give opposition strikers time on the ball, the Real Madrid man has been known to overstep the mark.

FAQ about the 2026 Germany World Cup squad

1. How many times have Germany won the World Cup?

Germany have won the World Cup four times, which means only Brazil have had more success on the biggest stage of all.

Their maiden triumph came in 1954, when they upset Hungary in the final. West Germany beat the Netherlands in the 1974 showpiece, and they were also triumphant in 1990 and 2014.

2. Which players are injured and missing from the squad?

Serge Gnabry may well have been in Nagelsmann’s plans if fit, but he was ruled out after tearing his abductor.

Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen was unable to recover from a thigh injury.

3. Are there any changes to Germany’s usual starting 11?

İlkay Gündoğan and Toni Kroos were still anchoring Germany’s midfield at Euro 2024, but the former has retired from international duty and the latter hung up his boots altogether following that tournament.

Thomas Müller has also departed the scene and, having switched to the MLS at club level, may have faced an uphill battle to be selected in any case.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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