The home European Championship is history. The national team is starting a new chapter. An exciting task for Julian Nagelsmann. The first squad without the last Rio heroes will be revealing.
The tears have dried. When Julian Nagelsmann presents his first squad on the way to the 2026 World Cup in America 55 days after the bitter European Championship exit against Spain, the national coach will not only be in demand for his core competencies as a great tactician and motivator.
Now he has to play as a builder for the first time in the first tests against Hungary on September 7th in Düsseldorf and in Amsterdam against the Netherlands on September 10th. Big names will be missing from the national football team’s personnel list on Thursday (10:00 a.m.). The time of the 2014 world champions is over.
How does Nagelsmann react to the resignations of Manuel Neuer, Ilkay Gündogan, Thomas Müller and Toni Kroos?
The national coach himself had announced a turning point for the time after the European Championship, albeit a small one. There could be no talk of a “young squad”, said Nagelsmann during the tournament. With an average age of just under 30, that’s no exaggeration. Kroos’ departure was a given, and the decisions of Neuer and Müller were probably even expected by Nagelsmann. Only Gündogan’s resignation was not really taken into account. In other words: Nagelsmann is prepared overall and wants to rejuvenate the team for America 2026.
But there is no need for a radical restructuring. “We have a large core of players who are 26, 27, 28 and can definitely still play in the World Cup,” said the national coach. The desire to make the quickly postulated dream of the golden World Cup trophy a reality is certainly there. “I’m also looking forward to attacking again,” said the 37-year-old.
Is Joshua Kimmich set to be the new captain?
The Bayern professional has always wanted to be a leader. That is his claim and his self-image. But the failures from 2018 to 2022 were also associated with his name. Now there is a good chance that Kimmich, as Gündogan’s successor with the black, red and gold armband on his arm, can permanently revise that impression.
With 91 international matches, he has the most of the current national players, ahead of Antonio Rüdiger (74) and Leroy Sané (65) – neither of whom are classic captains by nature. Next summer, Kimmich could move into the 100-club.
It is not official yet, but Nagelsmann will probably give him responsibility. It remains to be seen whether this will mean a return from right-back to defensive midfield, as was the case at Bayern Munich.
What are the consequences of Neuer’s resignation as eternal number one?
The Bayern goalkeeper’s end to his legendary career in the DFB jersey after a World Cup victory, 124 games in total and several goalkeeping records is a turning point. But at least for the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 European Championship, there is no need to fear a huge gap in terms of sport. Marc-André ter Stegen (32) has been waiting for this moment for years. At the European Championship, he kept quiet as Neuer’s backup, knowing full well that the prospect is there. He has played 40 international matches and is the captain and leading player at FC Barcelona. Nagelsmann has no need to worry about that.
Behind ter Stegen, there are three other older candidates: Oliver Baumann (34), Bernd Leno (32) and Kevin Trapp (34). The first challenger should be Alexander Nübel (27) from VfB Stuttgart, who was dropped from the squad shortly before the European Championships, but is now likely to be the man of the future in the position.
Which new faces is Nagelsmann planning?
Angelo Stiller (23) could have already gone to the European Championships in the strong Stuttgart block. Now the midfielder is named as the first candidate to make his debut. Together with Aleksandar Pavlovic (20), who only missed the European Championships because of a renewed bout of tonsillitis and is thus also a newcomer, a central duo is growing up that can provide central cover for the established Jamal Musiala (21) and Florian Wirtz (21) in the future.
Two other candidates are Brajan Gruda (20) from Mainz, who has moved to Brighton, and Rocco Reitz (22) from Gladbach, who were already allowed to take part in the European Championship training camp as substitute players.
Which names are still being traded?
Serge Gnabry (29) would be a prominent returnee. After his many injuries in the previous season, which cost him participation in the European Championship, the Munich player is impressing at an early stage of the season. It remains to be seen whether that is enough for a nomination again. Another possible returnee would be central defender Malick Thiaw (23) from AC Milan, who made his debut under Hansi Flick as national coach in the summer of 2023, but then lost touch.
What are the Nations League games about?
Germany and the Nations League were not football love stories. Not even at second glance. Relegation in 2018 was only subsequently avoided by a new format, in 2020 there was a 6-0 defeat in Spain and in 2022 the following World Cup disaster in Qatar against Hungary (0-1) and England (3-3) was already looming. The DFB team never played for the title.
This time, there should be more in it. Hungary (7.9./19.11.), the Netherlands (10.9./14.10.) and Bosnia-Herzegovina (11.10./16.11.) are uncomfortable but beatable opponents. And once again, the competition has been reformed. The group winners or runners-up will have to go into playoffs in March for a place in the final in June. Third-placed teams will have to go into playdowns in March against a second-placed team from the B league. Only the last-placed team will be relegated this year.
What does the competition have to do with the 2026 World Cup?
Of course, the Nations League is not about World Cup success. But at least the path to America is predetermined. One thing is certain: Germany will play in a group of four in the qualification, which will be drawn this year, if they finish first or second in the Nations League. Then the elimination round will not begin until September 2025 with just six games. If they finish last in the group, they would be in a group of five and would start in March.
Source: Stern
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
