Despite a long spell on the sidelines due to injury, Jamal Musiala is one of the DFB team’s main hopes for the World Cup. However, he is now set to miss some key friendlies.
Hardly any other player embodies VfB Stuttgart’s meteoric rise under manager Sebastian Hoeneß – from relegation candidates to a top-flight club – more than Maximilian Mittelstädt. Yet this summer, the success story faces a bittersweet conclusion.
USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino revealed that Noahkai Banks declined the opportunity to represent the USMNT this March, as the highly rated center back is still trying to determine his international future. The teenager, who has become a regular for Augsburg this season, can play for both Germany and the United States - and is yet to declare who he will represent.
Former national player Michael Ballack has been highly critical of former national coach Joachim Löw regarding his serious injury in the run-up to the 2010 World Cup.
Chelsea and Germany legend Michael Ballack fought back the tears as he spoke about the death of his 18-year-old son for the first time. The former midfielder's world was turned upside down in 2021 when his son, Emilio, passed away after a tragic quad bike accident during a family holiday in Portugal.
Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann has sent a clear warning to his squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup, suggesting that high-profile names could be left out of his final selection. As the nation prepares for upcoming friendlies against Switzerland and Ghana later this month, Nagelsmann has indicated that club status will not guarantee a seat on the plane to North America, emphasising that team chemistry and specific tactical profiles will take precedence over reputation.
Noahkai Banks says he is "very torn" over his international future as he considers his opportunities with the U.S. men's national team and Germany. The teenage defender was in USMNT camp in the fall but did not earn a cap and remains eligible for either national team. Banks has also featured on various U.S. youth teams since 2023.
Former England defender Phil Jones has shown his backing of the Three Lions and captain Harry Kane ahead the World Cup, calling for the Bayern Munich striker to win the Golden Boot in North America this summer and lead England to winning the trophy for the first time since 1966. Speaking exclusively with GOAL, Jones was asked to predict his winners and losers of the tournament and said he believes Germany will 'crash and burn'.
Teddy Sheringham. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. "Football, bloody hell!" The 1999 Champions League final is one of the greatest dramas in the history of Bayern Munich. The German giants led for a long time in Barcelona before Manchester United snatched the trophy they thought was theirs in stoppage time. But according to one member of the Bayern team, he actually won that final. "Actually, I'm a Champions League winner," claims the latest member of GOAL's Rebel United, Mario Basler.
San Jose Earthquakes are reportedly close to agreeing a deal to sign Timo Werner, according to The Athletic. The German national, who starred for RB Leipzig from 2016-2020, has found himself out of favor in his third stint with the German club, making three appearances this year. He will fill a Designated Player spot for San Jose, who are rebuilding under manager Bruce Arena.
Brighton and Hove Albion have agreed a deal to re-sign midfielder Pascal Gross from Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Germany international is reportedly close to sealing a surprise return to the Premier League - just a year after he decided to end his seven-year stay with the Seagulls by returning to his homeland.
This is Legacy, GOAL's feature and podcast series following the road to the 2026 World Cup. Every week, we dive into the stories and the legacies that shaped football’s greatest nations. This time we turn to Germany, a nation once famed for producing the world’s deadliest strikers. From Gerd Müller to Miroslav Klose, the No.9 shirt was a symbol of power, precision, and pride. But since 2014, it’s become a question mark, a reflection of a team still searching for its next great finisher, and perhaps, for its own identity.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has backed Florian Wirtz to continue finding the back of the net after the midfielder finally scored his first goal for the club in Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Germany star ended his painful wait for a maiden goal in red as the Merseysiders moved into the top four with a tight victory at Anfield.
Florian Wirtz would be receiving far more criticism if he was producing his current Liverpool form for Bayern Munich, according to Germany legend Thomas Muller. The Vancouver Whitecaps forward has weighed in on the performances of the Reds midfielder, who turned down interest from two European giants in favour of a big-money move to Anfield in the summer.
Even today, there still exists that moment during World Cup victory celebrations when every carefully choreographed event suddenly becomes anarchic and no longer follows a script: Gennaro Gattuso, suddenly striding across the turf of Berlin's Olympic Stadium in his underpants after Italy’s triumph in 2006, having given away all his remaining clothes to the tifosi in the stands; Iker Casillas kissing his then-girlfriend, TV journalist Sara Carbonero, on the mouth during a supposedly professional interview after Spain's triumph in 2010; the shameful moments when Turkish chef Salt Bae suddenly feels like an Argentine player in Qatar in 2022 and snatched the trophy from the hands of the likes of Lionel Messi and Co.
The World Cup 2026 draw has been made, with England set to face Croatia in the group stages, and the USMNT to take on Australia. Brazil have been drawn with Morocco, while France will play Senegal and Argentina must face Austria.
Nick Woltemade has hit back at the “absurd” criticism aimed at Germany teammate Florian Wirtz after the Liverpool star’s slow start in the Premier League, insisting the £116 million signing will prove his quality in England. With Wirtz yet to score for Liverpool and facing scrutiny over his adaptation, Woltemade’s public defence adds fresh weight to calls for patience.
U.S. Soccer have confirmed the U.S. men's national team's final four opponents ahead of next summer's World Cup. The road to the tournament will continue in March as the U.S. host Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal and Belgium before clashes with Germany and another yet-to-be-named opponent in two pre-tournament friendlies next summer.
Manchester United and Bayern Munich icon Bastian Schweinsteiger is getting divorced. Schweinsteiger and former tennis star Ana Ivanovic are all set to split after a nine-year marriage. The sporting power couple met in 2014 and started a romantic relationship, before tying the knot in 2016 in Venice. Schweinsteiger and Ivanovic reportedly broke up earlier this month due to 'irreconcilable differences'.
U.S. international Brian White sent a timely reminder of his quality, powering the Vancouver Whitecaps to their first MLS Cup final with a first-half brace. His early impact guided a commanding 3-1 win over San Diego FC, a match effectively settled before halftime as Jesper Sørensen’s side overwhelmed Mikey Varas’ team and added an own goal via Pablo Sisniega.
Germany
.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
