Overview

• Germany and France will contest the Nations League third-place playoff in Stuttgart after both teams dropped their semifinals to Portugal and Spain, respectively.
• Coach Julian Nagelsmann has reverted to a four-man defensive line, with Pascal Groß preparing to start alongside Leon Goretzka in midfield.
• Germany will be without Antonio Rüdiger, Nico Schlotterbeck, Jamal Musiala, Tim Kleindienst due to injury.
• Ivan Kruzliak will referee the match; any draw will be settled by a penalty shootout without extra time.
• Securing third place is key for Germany’s FIFA ranking, influencing their seeding for the 2026 World Cup qualification draw.