Julian Nagelsmann continues to struggle with absences ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Northern Ireland. But that doesn’t protect him from the increasingly loud discussions about his cadre policy.
Zoltan Sebescen is one of the many players who have a special place in the DFB’s international history. The now 50-year-old Swabian had a more than solid career in the Bundesliga in the early 2000s, with a total of 72 appearances for Wolfsburg and Leverkusen, and with the Werkself he even reached the final of the Champions League against Real Madrid in 2002.
But what remains particularly memorable is his debut in the national team jersey. The then national coach Erich Ribbeck, notorious for surprising decisions, called up Sebescen for the away game against the Netherlands in February 2000 and put him in the starting line-up as a right-back. There, Sebescen experienced a personal nightmare against “Oranjes” winger Boudewijn Zenden. After conceding two goals, he was substituted at half-time – and was never seen again by the DFB team after that.
Squad castling in the DFB team – also against Luxembourg and Northern Ireland
Since then, the name Sebescen has stood for failed squad experiments by national coaches, at least among the older part of the German football audience. The “Süddeutsche Zeitung” was now explicitly reminded of the episode with Sebescen when it commented on Julian Nagelsmann’s nomination policy before the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and in Northern Ireland – and came to the conclusion: “The national coach poses a mystery.”
Eight months before the World Cup, the debate about Nagelsmann’s World Cup squad seems to be in full swing. There must be time for experiments “finally be over”demanded Lothar Matthäus in his “Sport Bild” column, “in terms of tactics as well as personnel”. As if the national coach wanted to annoy the expert Matthäus, it was announced on Tuesday evening that Kevin Schade would be nominated for the two upcoming international matches. The winger from Brentford was last called up to the national team a year ago, and with four international appearances he also belongs more in the “experiments” department.
Even more reserved people like Matthias Sammer have recently expressed themselves noticeably irritated on the subject of squad decisions: “If we can afford to miss out on the best, then we shouldn’t aim for the World Cup title.”said Sammer in a “Sky” panel.
Discussions about Mittelstädt – and others Non-nominations
Despite, or possibly because of, the numerous absences in the squad, before the game against Luxembourg on Friday (8:45 p.m., live stream and audio stream), the main discussion is about who Nagelsmann did not nominate this time: Maximilian Mittelstädt, for example, who has actually developed into a reliable player in the DFB team since his first call-up in March 2024 on the left side of defense. Now he is missing from the squad, which also caused surprise in Stuttgart. Nagelsmann appointed Nathaniel Brown instead. Attention: a debutant. The national coach thinks highly of the 22-year-old from Frankfurt, who had to miss the game at short notice in September due to an injury.
Tim Brockmeier, Sportschau, October 8th, 2025 1:22 p.m
Collins gone again, Ridle Baku with a comeback
Brown’s teammate Nnamdi Collins was no longer taken into account: Frankfurt’s youngster made his debut in the completely botched qualifying opener against Slovakia and cut an unfortunate figure, although he was by no means the only one in the DFB uniform. He no longer received a second call-up for the October games – but Ridle Baku suddenly has a new chance on the right side of defense. The Leipzig player was last in action in the DFB uniform in November 2021 and will probably also benefit from Joshua Kimmich moving into defensive midfield alongside Nagelsmann.
Nagelsmann’s castling in the squad is increasingly being viewed critically. Since the alarming 2-0 defeat against Slovakia, the perception of the DFB team has changed. The trade magazine “kicker” saw the national team as “dangerously close to rock bottom”.
Musiala, Undav, Havertz, Rüdiger – DFB team continues with many failures
But the problem is that Nagelsmann can only appoint the players that are available to him. The list of failures is long, partly due to the increasing stress: Jamal Musiala recently fell victim to the insane Club World Cup in the summer.
Nagelsmann’s options are slim, especially on offense: In addition to key player Musiala, Kai Havertz, Deniz Undav and Tim Kleindienst are still missing due to injury. Florian Wirtz is still looking for direction after his move to Liverpool. In the center of the attack, Niclas Füllkrug, who was still considered indispensable at the home European Championships in 2024, has fallen through the cracks and is getting there West Ham hardly any match practice anymore.
Bearers of hope Woltemade against Luxembourg and Northern Ireland
Nick Woltemade will be taking part in the upcoming international matches; after an infection, Woltemade is due to join the DFB team on Thursday. The striker has in Newcastle got off to a super start and is absolutely set as the striker. The numerous TV experts shouldn’t have anything wrong with that.