Overview

• Marc-André ter Stegen is sidelined for several months after back surgery and will miss the September qualifiers.
• Oliver Baumann is seen as the favorite to start in goal, with Julian Nagelsmann set to name his squad on August 27 before games on September 4 in Slovakia and September 7 against Northern Ireland, with Luxembourg also in Group A.
• Alexander Nübel remains in contention and a younger option such as Noah Atubolu or Finn Dahmen could be added as the third goalkeeper.
• Barcelona coach Hansi Flick acknowledged communication mistakes during the summer dispute as the club dropped and then reinstated ter Stegen as captain, with LaLiga classifying him as a long-term injury that allowed Joan García to be registered.
• Germany also loses Kai Havertz for the start of qualifying because of a knee issue, with Jamal Musiala and Nico Schlotterbeck already out through injury.