Germany Waits Anxiously for World Cup Draw as Squad Remains Wide Open

dpaTIN24 – By Editor AMIT ALHAT
18.11.2025, 15:12

Germany booked their place at the 2026 World Cup with a ruthless 6-0 demolition of Slovakia on Monday night, but the real talking points now are the FIFA ranking update on Wednesday and whether Julian Nagelsmann will keep the squad door open wide enough for late challengers to force their way in.

The victory in Bratislava erased the bitter memory of the opening-day defeat to the same opponent – Germany’s first-ever away loss in a World Cup qualifier – and ended a bumpy campaign on a high.

Yet even Nagelsmann admitted the performances in the five wins that followed had rarely been convincing until this final, pressure-packed evening.

“The team did really well today.

There is nothing to complain about,” the coach told ZDF. “I’m proud of how they fought through adversity. We had a bumpy start and today the pressure was enormous. Everyone played an extremely good game.”

Captain Joshua Kimmich was even more blunt about what missing the tournament would have meant: “I told the lads that playing at a World Cup for your country is the greatest thing that can happen in a player’s career. In Germany we’re simply not used to that being in doubt.”

Pot 1 Hopes Hang on Wednesday’s Ranking

The next obsession is the FIFA world ranking due on Wednesday. The top nine teams plus the three hosts (USA, Canada, Mexico) will be seeded in pot 1 for the draw on 5 December. Germany currently sit 10th. A slip to 11th or lower would be a bitter pill after the relief of qualification.

No Guarantees – Even for the Big Names
Nagelsmann was refreshingly candid when asked about the long-term absentees. Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz, Antonio Rüdiger and Marc-André ter Stegen are all expected back in the coming months, but none have a guaranteed ticket.

“Everyone will be challenged,” Nagelsmann stressed. “I can only promise that I will select the best possible squad. We’re taking 23 field players, not 20 – there is room.”

He specifically name-checked VfB Stuttgart’s in-form midfielder Angelo Stiller, who was omitted from the November squad: “He has legitimate hopes. The door is definitely not closed.”

Goalkeeper Battle Wide Open

The hottest debate surrounds the gloves. Ter Stegen was anointed Manuel Neuer’s successor after Euro 2024, but two serious injuries have restricted him to almost no minutes in a Germany shirt since.

Oliver Baumann seized his chance and was outstanding against Slovakia, while Alexander Nübel also impressed in the games before.

“We’re very happy with Oli Baumann right now. He’s doing a great job,” Nagelsmann said. As for Ter Stegen, the message was clear: “He has to establish himself again – either at Barcelona or somewhere else.”
Seven months out from the tournament,

Germany are qualified, relieved, and still very much a work in progress.