AUDIO: Wück announces squad for World Cup qualifiers (1 min)
Squad for World Cup qualification
As of: May 26, 2026 10:04 a.m
Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger is in the German football squad for the decisive qualifying games for the direct World Cup ticket. Giulia Gwinn is missing injured, but Klara Bühl, Sophia Kleinherne, Kathy Hendrich and Marie Müller are returning to national coach Christian Wück’s squad.
There was a question mark behind the 35-year-old Berger’s nomination because she recently suffered an abdominal injury during a game with her US club Gotham FC. In the games on June 5th in Cologne against Norway (8:35 p.m., live on ARD and at sportschau.de) and on June 9th in Slovenia (6 p.m., ZDF), the DFB women are aiming for direct group victory and a ticket to the World Cup finals.
“Everyone knows what it’s about and we know that the team is ready to book their World Cup ticket.”
National coach Christian Wück
With a win against Norway, the Wück team would complete their qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil ahead of schedule. After the recent 0-0 draw in Austria, Germany leads Group A4 by just one point ahead of the Scandinavians.
Gwinn needs surgery
It had been clear for a week that the German women were without Captain Giulia Gwinn have to get along. The right-back from double winners Bayern Munich is missing from national coach Christian Wück’s 24-man squad due to shoulder surgery. Striker Nicole Anyomi also has to miss the game due to an injury.
Bühl and Co. return to the squad
Klara Bühl (Bayern Munich), Sophia Kleinherne (VfL Wolfsburg), Kathy Hendrich (Chicago Red Stars) and Marie Müller (Portland Thorns FC) are returning to national coach Christian Wück’s squad after breaks due to injury. Melissa Kössler (Denver Summit FC), who played her last international match in 2024, is also back in the squad after a long time. Frankfurt offensive player Laura Freigang, an integral part of the squad for many years, is only on call this time.
Wück: “We have great confidence in our squad”
“Our goal is clear: We want to finish first in this group and qualify directly for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. We will invest everything in the coming games to achieve this – with maximum concentration, passion and team spirit,” said national coach Wück: “The failures obviously affect us. At the same time, we know that others will take on responsibility. We have great confidence in our squad, in every single player. Everyone knows what it’s about and we know that the team is ready to get their ticket to the World Cup.”
