Overview

• DFB sporting director Rudi Völler said Germany will field a team that’s “hard to beat” at the 2026 World Cup and admitted a few nations currently have a slight edge
• Germany faces Slovakia, Northern Ireland and Luxembourg in Group H as it pursues a place in the tournament co-hosted by the USA, Mexico and Canada
• The DFB aims to top its group; it will trial new combinations during qualifiers to evaluate emerging talent
• Coach Julian Nagelsmann confirmed that captain Joshua Kimmich will reprise his role as a defensive midfielder to maintain tactical consistency
• Völler plans to promote several key performers from the U21 squad that reached the European Championship final into the senior side