Several scenarios possible
So Germany will definitely qualify for the World Cup
October 14, 2025 – 2:23 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
There are still two games left for Germany in the World Cup qualification. The tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico is within reach. So the DFB team will definitely be there.
With the 1-0 win in Northern Ireland, the German national team took an important step towards the 2026 World Cup. There are still two games left in November – then it will be decided whether the direct route to the finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico is successful or whether there is a risk of a detour via the playoffs.
National coach Julian Nagelsmann’s team is currently leading the table in Group A – but is tied on points with Slovakia. Both nations have nine points, but Germany is 8:3 goals ahead of the Slovaks (5:2). Northern Ireland (6 points/6:5 goals) remains in wait. Luxembourg is behind with zero points and no longer has a chance of reaching first place.
Germany will play in Luxembourg on November 14th, followed by the home game against Slovakia in Leipzig three days later. We are looking for the group winner – and only this one will qualify directly for the World Cup. The second place team has to go to the playoffs in March.
The decisive factor for placement in the event of a tie is the goal difference from all group games. The total goals scored then count. Only then do other criteria come into play: first the direct comparison, then the away goals scored, the fair play rating and, as a last resort, a draw.
With victories against Luxembourg and Slovakia, group victory would be assured for the DFB team. Even a win against Luxembourg and a draw against Slovakia is enough – assuming the Slovaks don’t get a bigger win against Northern Ireland, which shifts the goal difference in Slovakia’s favor.
Even in the event of a defeat against Slovakia, Germany would be first in the group if Luxembourg is defeated beforehand, but Northern Ireland wins both games and still does not overtake the German team due to a better goal difference – or if Northern Ireland does not win against Luxembourg.
A draw against Luxembourg and a win against Slovakia would also be enough. Meanwhile, two draws could be enough – but only if Slovakia doesn’t win against Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland doesn’t win both games.