Overview

• Germany face Slovakia in Bratislava on Thursday at 20:45, live on ARD, before hosting Northern Ireland in Cologne on Sunday.
• Nagelsmann has set 'dominance' as the guiding theme for this window, targeting stronger defensive control and hinting at a fluid back line.
• First senior call-ups include Nnamdi Collins, Finn Dahmen and Paul Nebel, with Collins praised for pace and versatility at center-back or right-back.
• Key regulars are unavailable, including Marc-André ter Stegen, Nico Schlotterbeck, Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz; Oliver Baumann is set to start in goal.
• UEFA's revised format places Germany in a four-team group with Slovakia, Northern Ireland and Luxembourg, with group winners qualifying directly and play-offs in March 2026 for the remaining European spots.