Germany Boss Julian Nagelsmann Targeting Two World Cup Win

Julian Nagelsmann with his team at the dugout

Germany's coach, Julian Nagelsmann, has set a clear target for the team: secure two wins in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Northern Ireland to stay on track for automatic qualification.

Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann targeting two wins to stay on course for World Cup...

Germany's national team coach, Julian Nagelsmann, has announced a 24-man squad for the World Cup qualifiers, including newcomer Nathaniel Brown from Eintracht Frankfurt. The German team has had a mixed start to the qualifying campaign, losing one match and winning another in Group A. Currently, they sit third in the group standings with three points.

The top team in Group A will qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The second-placed team will advance to the playoffs. With their current standings, Germany needs to perform well in the upcoming matches to secure a spot in the World Cup. Slovakia, having secured six points, is currently leading the group and looks strong in their qualifying campaign.

“Two wins, that is our clear goal, in order to qualify for the World Cup in a direct way,” Nagelsmann said in a statement. “Even if we are missing some players, our squad has enough quality to do it better than recently.”

Germany's World Cup qualifying campaign got off to a rocky start with a 2-0 loss to Slovakia, but they bounced back with a convincing 3-1 home win over Northern Ireland. Currently, the team is third in their group, behind Northern Ireland on goal difference, with three points from two matches.

Injury Update:

Centre-back Antonio Rudiger and winger Jamal Musiala will miss the upcoming qualifiers due to injuries. Rudiger, a key player from Real Madrid, and Musiala, a talented midfielder from Bayern Munich, are significant absences that will test Nagelsmann's squad depth.

Squad Updates:

Defender Nico Schlotterbeck returns to the squad after recovering from a meniscus injury that kept him sidelined since April. His experience and defensive prowess will be crucial for Germany's upcoming matches.

Bayern Munich's defensive midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic earns a recall, bringing his expertise and tactical acumen to the midfield.

Forwards Jonathan Burkardt, Nick Woltemade, and Maximilian Beier form a potent attacking trio, each bringing unique skills to the table. Burkardt's inclusion adds depth to Germany's offense.

Current Group A Standings:

• Slovakia: 1st place, 6 points
• Northern Ireland: 2nd place, 3 points (tied with Germany on points, but ahead on goal difference)
• Germany: 3rd place, 3 points
• Luxembourg: 4th place, 0 points