Overview

• Oliver Baumann has been confirmed to start in goal against Luxembourg in Sinsheim after overcoming a brief illness, with Hoffenheim’s stadium hosting the qualifier.
• Julian Nagelsmann said he remains in contact with Manuel Neuer and will not rule out future scenarios, but emphasized that a return is not currently planned.
• Marc-André ter Stegen is still out following back surgery and has lost his club starting role at Barcelona, leaving Germany to rely on alternatives for the near term.
• Germany needs victories against Luxembourg and then Northern Ireland to keep direct 2026 World Cup qualification on track after a 0:2 loss to Slovakia and a 3:1 win over Northern Ireland in September.
• Florian Wirtz enters the window under scrutiny after losing his Liverpool starting spot, with DFB leaders Rudi Völler and Bastian Schweinsteiger expressing confidence he will rebound; Freiburg’s Noah Atubolu and Kevin Schade were recent call-ups.