Germany squad World Cup 2026: Which players made it to the showpiece in USA, Mexico and Canada?

All you need to know about Germany's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Four-time world champions Germany will enter the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of Europe's traditional powerhouses.

The German national team last won the World Cup in 2014, famously humiliating hosts Brazil 7-1 in the semi-final before defeating Lionel Messi's Argentina in the final at the Maracana to bring the ultimate prize back to Berlin. However, since that triumph, Germany have experienced a significant slump in form at major international tournaments.

At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Die Mannschaft were shockingly eliminated in the group stages, a disappointment they repeated at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after being drawn into a group of death alongside Spain, Japan, and Costa Rica.

Nevertheless, Germany possess a squad filled with high-quality players, including some of the most exciting young talents in Europe. This makes them a dangerous opponent despite their recent shortcomings at the big stage.

It will be interesting to see how Julian Nagelsmann utilises this group of players and how far Germany can go in the tournament next year.

GOAL takes a look at the players at their disposal.

Goalkeepers
Manuel Neuer is back for the World Cup. The goalkeeper is making a spectacular return after having initially retired following the 2024 European Championship.
His backup goalkeepers are Oliver Baumann and Alexander Nübel.
Player Club
Alexander Nubel Stuttgart
Oliver Baumann Hoffenheim
Manuel Neuer Bayern Munich

Player	Club
Alexander Nubel	Stuttgart
Oliver Baumann	Hoffenheim
Manuel Neuer	Bayern Munich

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Defenders

Over the past few months, it has become clear that Nico Schlotterbeck and Jonathan Tah will form the starting center-back pairing.

Joshua Kimmich will play at right back, and David Raum is expected to start at left back. His competition comes from Nathaniel Brown of Eintracht Frankfurt.

Nagelsmann also named Antonio Rüdiger, Waldemar Anton, and Malick Thiaw as alternatives.

Player	Club
Jonathan Tah	Bayern Munich
Antonio Rudiger	Real Madrid
Waldemar Anton	Dortmund
David Raum	RB Leipzig
Nico Schlotterback	Dortmund
Malick Thiaw	Newcastle
Joshua Kimmich	Bayern Munich
Nathaniel Brown	Eintracht Frankfurt

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Midfielders

In midfield, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Felix Nmecha, and Leon Goretzka will compete for the two starting spots.

Florian Wirtz is a sure starter up front. Jamal Musiala also has a good chance of earning a starting spot. Overall, there is fierce competition for every position in the attack. Young Bayern talent Lennart Karl also has reason to be happy.

Player	Club
Aleksandar Pavlovic	Bayern Munich
Leon Goretzka	Bayern Munich
Pascal Groß	Brighton
Nadiem Amiri	Mainz 05
Felix Nmecha	Dortmund
Angelo Stiller	Stuttgart
Florian Wirtz	Liverpool
Jamal Musiala	Bayern Munich
Lennart Karl	Bayern Munich
Jamie Leweling	Stuttgart
Leroy Sane	Galatasaray Istanbul

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Attackers
Kai Havertz is almost certain to start up front. Nick Woltemade and Deniz Undav also have a good chance of getting plenty of playing time.
Meanwhile, BVB's Maximilian Beier is back in the lineup.
Player Club
Deniz Undav Stuttgart
Maximilian Beier Dortmund
Kai Havertz Arsenal
Nick Woltemade Newcastle
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Germany star players
As mentioned earlier, young Jamal Musiala is expected to be Germany's standout player at the 2026 World Cup. The talented youngster has been waiting for a stage like this and could play a crucial role if Germany make a deep run in the tournament.
In addition to the Bayern Munich sensation, Florian Wirtz is another player who will attract significant attention from fans. The Liverpool ace has finally appeared to bed in at Anfield and has contributed 15 goal involvements in all competitions.
Veterans like Joshua Kimmich and Antonio Rudiger will also have major roles to play for Germany. Both have consistently been key figures for the national team and will once again be expected to deliver their best on the world stage.
Up-front Kai Havertz could prove to be a important player for the Germans. Despite playing in the attacking midfield area for the major part of his career, Havertz has adapted well to play in the number 9 position.
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Predicted Germany Starting XI for World Cup 2026
Predicted Germany starting XI (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Raum; Pavlovic, Goretzka; Havertz, Musiala, Wirtz; Woltemade