Overview
- Kickoff is 20:45 CET at Sinsheim’s PreZero Arena, with live coverage on ARD and streaming via sportschau.de after a 20:15 CET pregame show.
- Germany sit third in Group A on three points behind Slovakia on six, so victories in this window are seen as essential to stay on course for direct qualification.
- Key regulars Marc-André ter Stegen, Jamal Musiala, Antonio Rüdiger, Kai Havertz and Tim Kleindienst are out injured, fueling debate over the No. 1 role and leadership, with calls reported for Manuel Neuer’s return.
- Luxembourg, now coached by Jeff Strasser, have lost both qualifiers (1–3 vs Northern Ireland, 0–1 vs Slovakia) and arrive seeking their first point, likely prioritizing compact defense and set pieces.
- Media pressure has intensified, with Oliver Bierhoff warning of a quality shortfall, and analysts noting that goal difference and timing of qualification could affect Germany’s World Cup draw seeding.