Julian Nagelsmann has called up the next teenager for the World Cup qualification.
Leipzig’s Assan Ouédraogo replaces Mainz’s Nadiem Amiri in the squad for the duels with Luxembourg on Friday in the Grand Duchy and three days later with Slovakia in Leipzig, who did not travel to the meeting point in Wolfsburg due to adductor problems.
“It’s a shame that Nadiem is out for the two important games. We would like to fill his position in the squad on a 1-1 basis, which is why we decided to call up Assan Ouédraogo.”said Nagelsmann and added: “Assan is currently doing very well in the Bundesliga. He is a young, promising player, similar to Said El Mala, who we would like to see in training.”
“In the raffle for the 2026 World Cup”
The national coach appointed El Mala, also 19 years old from Cologne, to his squad for the first time on Thursday. The youngsters, among whom Nagelsmann also included Lennart Karl from Munich and Nicolò Tresoldi (Club Bruges), are with him “in the draw” for the 2026 World Cup, emphasized Nagelsmann. However, he is “not a fan of extremely early hype and pushing”as he emphasized.
The boys must be aware that their first nomination does not mean they are a “seasoned senior national player”: “A player must clearly understand what his job is.” The first appointment is primarily about getting to know each other. Nagelsmann wants to see whether the young stars “be eligible for the tournament”. El Mala, but also Ouédraogo or Karl would have a chance because it “not too many” Players like them.