Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has called up three newcomers—Augsburg goalkeeper Finn Dahmen, Nnamdi Collins, and Paul Nebel—for next month’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The four-time world champions will start their qualifying campaign with a trip to Slovakia on September 4, followed by a home clash against Northern Ireland in Cologne on September 7. Luxembourg also completes Group A, leaving Germany as clear favourites to advance.
Dahmen, 27, joins fellow goalkeepers Oliver Baumann and Alexander Nuebel, replacing the injured Marc-Andre ter Stegen, retired Manuel Neuer, and Bernd Leno, who opted out of the reserve role. Notably, Bayern Munich’s Leroy Sane was omitted, as Nagelsmann wants him to prove himself in the Turkish league with Galatasaray.
The 23-man squad includes only two forwards: Nick Woltemade (VfB Stuttgart) and Niclas Fuellkrug (West Ham United). Nagelsmann emphasized the importance of dominance in qualifiers, stating:
“We want to play so there are no weak phases. A 1-0 can also be dominant. It’s about full conviction, not narrowly qualifying and hoping to start later.”
After disappointing group-stage exits in the last two World Cups, Germany are keen to project authority early and secure qualification for the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico in 2026.
