Germany Announces Squad for World Cup Qualifiers

Leroy Sane returns to Germany squad for World Cup Qualifiers

Germany's 25-man squad for the November World Cup qualifiers has been announced, with Leroy Sane and Malick Thiaw earning recalls.

“He's earned his nomination with good performances in the Champions League and Super Lig...”

Germany's coach, Julian Nagelsmann, has announced the 25-man squad for the November World Cup qualifiers, and it's a star-studded lineup. Malick Thiaw, Kevin Schade, and Leroy Sane have all been recalled to the squad. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Said El Mala has earned his first-ever call-up to the national team.

Despite having played only nine Bundesliga games, Said El Mala's impressive form earned him a spot in the Germany squad. Since joining Cologne in the summer, the 19-year-old has scored four goals in the top-flight league, showcasing his talent and potential.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has made significant changes to his squad, dropping four players - Robert Andrich, Robin Koch, Angelo Stiller, and Maximilian Beier - from the October roster.

Meanwhile, Leroy Sane has earned a recall to the German national team after impressing in the Champions League and Turkish Super Lig. The 70-time national player, who joined Galatasaray in the summer after stints with Manchester City and Bayern Munich, hasn't played for Germany since June. Nagelsmann praised Sane, saying, “He's earned his nomination with good performances in the Champions League and Super Lig.”

Sane has been in excellent form for Galatasaray, scoring three goals and providing three assists in 14 appearances for the Turkish club.

Germany's squad has been hit with several injuries, with forwards Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, Niclas Fuellkrug, and Tim Kleindienst currently sidelined. Additionally, goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and defender Antonio Rudiger are also unavailable due to injury.

Premier League duo Florian Wirtz of Liverpool and Nick Woltemade of Newcastle, who will play key roles in the team's upcoming matches.

Germany's upcoming fixtures are crucial in their bid to qualify for the World Cup. The team faces Luxembourg away on November 14, followed by a potentially decisive match against Slovakia in Leipzig on November 17. Securing two wins would guarantee Germany's top spot in the group and a direct ticket to the World Cup. However, if they fail to finish first, they'll have to navigate an additional qualifying phase in March.

The stakes are high in Group A, where Germany and Slovakia are currently tied on nine points. Germany holds the top spot by virtue of a superior goal difference. The Slovakians have a notable advantage in head-to-head records, having beaten Germany 2-0 in their September encounter. Slovakia's other World Cup qualifier is against Northern Ireland at home.

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Germany squad

Goalkeepers: Noah Atubolu (Freiburg), Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Finn Dahmen (Augsburg), Alexander Nuebel (Stuttgart)

Defenders: Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Ridle Baku (RB Leipzig), Nathaniel Brown (Eintracht Frankfurt), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle/ENG)

Midfielders/forwards: Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund), Nadiem Amiri (Mainz), Jonathan Burkardt (Eintracht Frankfurt), Said El Mala (Cologne), Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart), Leroy Sane (Galatasaray/TUR), Kevin Schade (Brentford/ENG), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool/ENG), Nick Woltemade (Newcastle/ENG)