What Nagelsmann has to do now
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In Luxembourg, the German national team struggled to a 2-0 win after a very weak first half, but with a subsequent 6-0 gala, Julian Nagelsmann’s selection left no doubt about direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. “Job done!”, says transfer market expert Jürgen Klinsmann: “The convincing win against Slovakia has calmed things down again. The maximum is always expected from Germany, even when it comes against smaller nations. Now we can relax and look forward to the World Cup draw, which will take place on December 5th in Washington.”
The composition of the twelve preliminary round groups with 48 teams for the first time will then be determined. Three and a half years after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a successor to the reigning defending champion Argentina is being sought. The World Cup will be the biggest final tournament in its history from June 11th to July 19th. Then the DFB team also wants to play a very good role after a mixed international year. The 6-0 win against the toughest group rival was also important for Nagelsmann, who was viewed more critically recently on the one hand and, on the other hand, seemed significantly more tense than a year ago.
“Victory is the best medicine for every coach, and we are all happy for him. Steering a big football nation like Germany towards a World Cup is not an easy undertaking. Comments and advice are constantly coming from left and right, but the national coach has to stay the course. Against Slovakia, the team picked up the pace from the start and took the audience along,” says “Sommermärchen” coach Klinsmann.
There were six wins in ten DFB games in 2025, plus defeats in the Nations League finals against Portugal and France, followed by a devastating 0-2 in Slovakia and further tough performances. Klinsmann says: “We Germans are only ever satisfied when we ultimately win competitions. Therefore, the Nations League defeats were disappointing and not compatible with our German expectations. From the fans’ point of view, the year was mixed, especially the defeat in Slovakia was surprising – but things like that happen.”
With Yann Bisseck, Nick Woltemade, Tom Bischof, Nnamdi Collins, Nathaniel Brown and Assan Ouédraogo, Nagelsmann gave six debutants the chance this year. The Cologne high-flyer Said El Mala was also recently able to get a taste of the game, but was not used. Former national coach Klinsmann is full of praise for the German talents: “Bisseck and Woltemade have both made rapid development and will give us a lot of joy in the future. Both are playing at the top level in their clubs and will develop more consistency step by step.” The 61-year-old Göppinger comments: “Germany always manages to throw new talents into the deep end. That’s why the whole football world envies us. Spain and France certainly also have great talent training, but the Bundesliga is really great for developing young players and bringing them to the top.”
International tests will not continue until March. The Ivory Coast in Stuttgart has already been determined as an opponent. A second opponent in this period is still being sought. It is the only international match window during the current Bundesliga season. Not the ideal conditions for Nagelsmann to get his team ready for the tournament in time. With his experience from 2006, Klinsmann says: “It’s very difficult, but all World Cup participants have the same problem of implementing concentrated preparation for the World Cup. The clubs simply have priority until the end of the season in May. Processes and mechanisms in a national team are never as perfect and in-depth as in club teams, which work on it all year round. That’s why games at the Club World Cup this summer were at a higher level than international matches.”
Who does Nagelsmann nominate for the World Cup? “Surprises are always possible”
One or two newcomers can still play their way into Nagelsmann’s focus until spring. Just like winger David Odonkor, who Klinsmann nominated for the 2006 home World Cup out of nowhere. “Surprises are always possible,” believes the Californian by choice, “and with a World Cup squad of 26 players, the national coach would also have room to open the door to a high-flyer in the next few months.”
Klinsmann also has world champion tips for the coming summer – based on the current performance of the participating countries. “As football fans, we love to discuss the topic of favorites,” says the former national coach of South Korea, the USA and Germany. “My tip at the moment is Portugal, then comes Brazil. Portugal under coach Roberto Martínez is in a top position in all areas, and even Cristiano Ronaldo, a world star, is subordinate to the team. Phenomenal! Brazil under Carlo Ancelotti will travel to the World Cup with extreme motivation and hunger.” Klinsmann’s hope: “I wish we could see Brazil again with Neymar. He was the best player of the tournament at the World Cup in Qatar until the quarter-final exit against Croatia – after that he had a lot of bad luck with injuries.”
I am fully convinced that the Squadra Azzurra will go to the World Cup. They must and will hold their nerve in the playoffs.
With bad luck, Italy will miss a World Cup for the third time in a row. The 2006 champion has to serve another detention because he was unable to qualify as group leader. “Humiliated Italy,” wrote the “Gazzetta dello Sport”. “I am fully convinced that the Squadra Azzurra will go to the World Cup. They must and will keep their nerve in the playoffs,” Klinsmann is certain. “Of course it won’t be easy, another failure would have catastrophic consequences for the association and the entire mood in the country. So we’re keeping our fingers crossed for our Italian friends for the playoffs. Forza Italia!” During his playing career, the former center forward played 123 times for Inter Milan, and in 1990 he won the World Cup with Germany in the final in Rome against Argentina.
