For the German national team, there are two enormously important games in the World Cup qualification against Luxembourg and Northern Ireland – everything you need to know.
When, where and against whom?
On Friday (October 10th), the DFB team will initially compete in Sinsheim against Luxembourg, on Monday (October 13th) it will be in Belfast Against Northern Ireland. The kick -off is at 8:45 p.m.
When does the DFB team meet
National coach Julian Nagelsmann gathers his squad on Monday (October 6th, 2025) in the regular district in Herzogenaurach. The players travel individually by noon.
Nagelsmann first has to do without storm hope Nick Woltemade. The form -strong professional of Newcastle United was missing on Monday at the meeting in Herzogenaurach due to a flu infection. Woltemade will be expected in the DFB selection in the coming days.
How is the constellation in the World Cup qualification?
The direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico is at risk. After the sobering start in Slovakia (0: 2) and the only slightly calming 3: 1 against Northern Ireland, Germany is currently only third in group A. Only the first qualifies directly for the world tournament next year.
Otherwise the path threatens in March Playoffs. In any case, Germany has a place safe there – regardless of cutting off in the qualifying group. That is due to the Nations League. As one of four group winners in the A-League of the UEFA competition, Germany has already secured participation in the playoffs. Because there the twelve group runners and the four best group winners from the Nations League, which are not yet qualified, play four more World Cup tickets in two KO-rounds.
Positive: The group victory can still be secured on its own. Failure to fail in the playoffs and the first time a world championship would be historical.
Who has national coach Nagelsmann nominated?
Five players are no longer there. Niclas Füllkrug, Maximilian Mittelstädt, Namdi Collins, Pascal Groß and Paul Nebel were no longer taken into account. Nagelsmann did without Leroy Sané again.
Nathaniel Brown from Eintracht Frankfurt, Nico Schlotterbeck, Ridle Baku, Aleksandar Pavlović, Felix Nmecha and Jonathan Burkardt return to the squad.
Antonio Rüdiger, goalkeeper Marc-André Ter Stegen, Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz, Benjamin Henrichs and Tim small service are injured.
What does Nagelsmann’s plan look like?
For four weeks he discussed and considered with his coaching team, “How we go”said the national coach. The route: do – and talk less. There will be no longer any World Cup title announcements and dominance promises. Now you should think with simple means from game to game and from victory to victory.
Nagelsmann also relies on the form of players as a crucial criterion. An indication: the Bayern overflows around captain Joshua Kimmich and the cheerful Dortmund spots with five players each contingent the biggest blocks.
“Two victories – this is our clear goal to continue to achieve the World Cup qualification directly. Even if we still have to do without some players, we are convinced: Our squad has the quality to make it better than last”said Nagelsmann.
Who is particularly in focus?
Also because Defense chief Rüdiger fails, Nico Schlotterbeck’s return is important for Nagelsmann. The defender of Borussia Dortmund is intended to stabilize the DFB defensive and bring in his qualities in the opening of the player. “He is an extremely important player for us”says Nagelsmann.
The hopes of Nick Woltemade rest at the front Newcastle United has a good start. After the transfer vertebra, the 23-year-old hits his first goals in the north of England. Now he also wants to score his first goals in the jersey of the A national team.
Florian Wirtz is also the focus. The former Leverkusener is at FC Liverpool on the form search. There is criticism in England. Problem: Because two creative players are already falling in Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz, Wirtz is urgently needed in top shape.
What are the construction sites?
Eintracht Frankfurt Namdi Collins was recently unable to convince on the right defense. Collins did not get a second DFB invitation. The right side therefore remains critical. Now Ridle Baku can prove himself. The Leipziger played under Hansi Flick as a national coach for Germany almost four years ago.
Where can the games be seen live?
The game against Luxembourg runs live on Friday in the first and in Livestream at sportschau.de. There is also an audio stream and a live ticker. The program starts at 8:15 p.m. The moderator is Esther Sedlaczek, expert is Bastian Schweinsteiger, Tom Bartels is a reporter.
The game in Northern Ireland is from RTL Live in Free TV transmitted. The sports show is there with an audio stream and a live ticker on sportschau.de.
What’s next after the two games?
The last two games of the World Cup qualification are due in November. On November 14th, the DFB team will play in Luxembourg (8:45 p.m.), on November 17th there is an important second leg against Slovakia in Leipzig (8:45 p.m.). The preliminary round groups of the World Cup will be drawn on December 5 (6 p.m.).