World Cup preparation will be bumpy
Nagelsmann will initially have to do without Havertz
May 6, 2026 – 12:22 p.mReading time: 1 min.
Kai Havertz is missing national coach Julian Nagelsmann from the World Cup preparation camp and the friendly against Finland. And that could be just the beginning.
Arsenal’s entry into the Champions League final on May 30th in Budapest has direct consequences for Germany’s preparations for the World Cup. Kai Havertz will not be available for national coach Julian Nagelsmann at the training camp in Herzogenaurach (from May 27th) or at the friendly against Finland in Mainz (May 31st in the live ticker on t-online). The offensive player is not due to join the national team until June 2nd when he leaves for the USA.
Arsenal beat Atlético Madrid in the semi-finals (1-0, 1-1) and will face Bayern Munich or defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in the final. After the flight to the USA, the dress rehearsal against co-hosts USA is on the program in Chicago on June 6th. The World Cup runs from June 11th to July 19th.
If FC Bayern reached the Champions League final, it would have an even greater impact. Then Nagelsmann would also be missing Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala, Leon Goretzka, Jonathan Tah and Aleksandar Pavlović – all five of whom are firmly included in the World Cup squad. Lennart Karl, Jonas Urbig and Tom Bischof are other candidates for the 26-man squad. Nagelsmann will name his squad on May 21st in Frankfurt/Main.
