Overview
- ZDF confirmed to dpa on October 2, 2026 that Christoph Kramer has extended his contract with the broadcaster through after UEFA Euro 2028.
- Per Mertesacker made his final ZDF appearance at the Nations League match in Munich on October 1 and will start as DFB Geschäftsführer Sport on January 1.
- Kramer had appeared at the Nations League match on an honorarium basis because his previous contract expired after the last World Cup, according to reporting.
- ZDF holds no further German national-team broadcast rights for 2026, which means Kramer will not appear for Länderspiele this year and is next billed for the DFB-Pokal match on October 27.
- Kramer and Mertesacker were a high-profile expert duo for ZDF since 2020, and the contract timing shows how tournament-linked deals and broadcast rights shape which former players viewers see on air.