Julian Nagelsmann secures qualification for the World Cup

The German national team is gearing up for the World Cup qualifiers, with a new season and fresh faces set to make an impact. Coach Nagelsmann has expressed his ambition for the team to dominate the qualifying games and progress towards the World Cup.

Nnamdi Collins, Paul Nebel, and Finn Dahmen are the newcomers to the DFB squad, and Collins has received notable praise from Nagelsmann, particularly in discussions about the right-back position. The trio will join the squad at the team's quarters in Herzogenaurach for the first time in the World Cup season on Monday.

The qualifiers kick off with an away match against Slovakia on March 24, followed by a home game against Northern Ireland on March 27. On October 10, Germany will play against Luxembourg in Sinsheim, followed by a return match against Northern Ireland on October 13. The group's fate will be decided on November 14 in Luxembourg and on November 17 in Leipzig against Slovakia.

As for the tactical formation, Joshua Kimmich is set to return to the defensive midfield as a six, with additional order expected from this change. However, Coach Nagelsmann has not yet announced the exact consequences for the formation with Kimmich's return.

The ultimate goal for the German national team remains the same: to win the World Cup. The team has a safety net for the World Cup as it is guaranteed a spot in the playoffs if it fails to win the group. If Germany wins all six qualifiers, it may be seeded in the top pot for the draw, potentially avoiding an early World Cup match against a top team like Argentina, Spain, or France.

All six qualifying games will be broadcast on free TV, with ARD, ZDF, and RTL sharing the broadcasts. The World Cup draw will take place on December 5 at 6:00 PM CET in Washington. The first match of Germany in the World Cup 2026 qualification takes place on September 4, 2025, against Slovakia in Bratislava.

The German national team, as the winner of League A in the UEFA Nations League, is the favourite to win the World Cup qualifying group. With the new season upon us, expectations are high for this talented team as they embark on their journey towards the World Cup.