“I can’t lose”
This is how much Hannover has in the 2026 World Cup
Updated June 9, 2026 – 4:18 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
A piece of Hanover is traveling to the 2026 World Cup. Players and coaches with a 96-year history shape several squads.
Not a single player is from Hannover 96 Part of the German squad competing at the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA. However, two Hanoverians play for other countries – and there are some local footballers who once played for the club. The overview:
Ime Okon
The Hannover 96 central defender plays for the South African national team at the World Cup. National coach Hugo Broos named the 22-year-old to his 26-man squad. “I can’t lose – I come from the bottom,” Okon said afterwards.
Elias Saad
Viewers can also spot someone in Tunisia’s squad who plays in the 96 uniform in the Bundesliga: Elias Saad, who is currently on loan at Hannover 96 from Augsburg, will appear for the country at the World Cup. The 26-year-old made a name for himself in futsal before his career as a professional football player.
Waldemar Anton
The German national team’s shirt number 3 will be given to Waldemar Anton at the 2026 World Cup. The defender is now under contract with Borussia Dortmund, but has roots in Hanover. He was born in Uzbekistan in 1996. At the age of two, he moved to Germany with his family – Hanover became his new home.
There he initially played football with the Mühlenberger SV juniors before joining the Hannover 96 academy in 2008, shortly before his eighth birthday. There he went through all the youth teams; According to the club, he is “a real 96 homegrown.”
He was under contract with the professional team from 2015 to 2020, after which he moved to VfB Stuttgart. Anton has been playing for Borussia Dortmund since 2024.
Maximilian Beier
Maximilian Beier is currently under contract with Dortmund. The 23-year-old striker was previously loaned to Hannover 96 from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.
He played there from 2021 to 2023. In 68 appearances in the 96 jersey, Beier scored 15 goals and prepared seven more goals. He will play for Germany at the 2026 World Cup with shirt number 14.
