Julian Nagelsmann Names 26-Man Squad for Germany's World Cup Prep

Germany unveils World Cup squad, eyes redemption in 2026

Germany announces 26-man squad for friendlies against Switzerland and Ghana, eyes World Cup redemption in 2026. Coach Julian Nagelsmann names squad likely to form basis of World Cup team.

“The March squad has many parallels to the squad in May but this is not yet a World Cup squad nomination...”

Bayern Munich's Jonas Urbig and Lennart Karl have received their first-ever call-ups to the German national team for friendlies against Switzerland and Ghana. Coach Julian Nagelsmann's 26-man squad is expected to form the basis of his World Cup selection in May.

The 18-year-old Karl has been impressive for Bundesliga leaders Bayern this season, while Urbig has stepped in as Bayern's starting goalkeeper following Manuel Neuer's injury. With Oliver Baumann seen as Germany's first-choice keeper, Urbig is likely to serve as a reserve for the World Cup.

Oliver Baumann is seen as Germany's first-choice keeper, so Urbig is likely to be a reserve for the World Cup. Marc-Andre ter Stegen is struggling to regain full fitness, and Neuer has retired from international football.

“(Karl) won't get too much pressure from me. I just want him to do what he does at Bayern. Bring what a young player can bring into the game,” Nagelsmann told a press conference on Thursday.

Germany's upcoming fixtures include a trip to Switzerland on March 27, followed by a home match against Ghana three days later.

“The March squad has many parallels to the squad in May but this is not yet a World Cup squad nomination,” the ⁠coach said.

Nagelsmann warned that although the current squad might resemble the World Cup squad announced in May, changes are probable.

Nagelsmann gave some experienced players a break, including playmaker Jamal Musiala, who's dealing with a minor ankle injury - a follow-up from the break he suffered last year.

“He has some pain but that is normal after such an injury. We are interested in him being firstly fit for ‌Bayern, to play many games so that he can be considered. Under the circumstances... we will give him the necessary time to recover.”

Germany's coach Julian Nagelsmann has recalled forward Deniz Undav, the Bundesliga's top German scorer with 16 goals, along with Kai Havertz, Anton Stach, Pascal Gross, and Antonio Rüdiger, for the national team's friendlies against Switzerland and Ghana. This squad is expected to form the basis of Germany's World Cup campaign in June.

Unser Kader für die anstehenden Länderspiele gegen die Schweiz und Ghana 🤝

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🇨🇭🇩🇪 27. März - 20:45 Uhr - RTL
🇩🇪🇬🇭 31. März - 20:45 Uhr - ARD#dfbteam pic.twitter.com/2J3D8WC1Mm

— DFB-Team (@DFB_Team) March 19, 2026

Germany is determined to win the World Cup after disappointing group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022, aiming to restore their reputation as a global football powerhouse. The tournament, co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada, starts in June.

Germany's been a bit off since their 2014 World Cup win in Brazil - haven't reached a major final since then. For the upcoming tournament, they've been drawn in Group E with Ecuador, Curacao, and Ivory Coast.

The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19. Germany's opening match is against Curacao on June 14 in Houston, Texas. Then, they'll head to Toronto on June 20 to face Ivory Coast, followed by their last group game against Ecuador in New York on June 25.