Germany World Cup draw 2026: Group results, schedule, roster, coach and more to know

Daniel Mader

Germany World Cup draw 2026: Group results, schedule, roster, coach and more to know image

Germany has historically been one of international socccer's top teams.

The nation has lifted the trophy four times, but has not done so since 2014, exiting in the group stage at each of the past two tournaments.

At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with young Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala leading the way, Germany will be looking to bring the trophy back to Berlin.

AllSportsPeople breaks down Germany’s path at the 2026 World Cup, the national team roster and how the side has performed throughout World Cup history.

MORE: A full overview of the 2026 FIFA World Cup match schedule, bracket, and group layouts

Germany World Cup draw 

Germany's group will be determined by Friday's World Cup draw. Germany is one of 12 teams included in Pot 1 of the draw.

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Group match schedule

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MORE: Which teams are in the World Cup Draw?

Germany all-time World Cup groups

Germany has appeared in every World Cup since 1954, but has failed to advance past the group stage the past two tournaments after seven-consecutive top finishes within its group.

Year:1st Place2nd Place3rd Place4th Place
2022JapanSpainGermanyCosta Rica
2018SwedenMexicoSouth KoreaGermany
2014GermanyUSAPortugalGhana
2010GermanyGhanaAustralia Serbia
2006Germany EcuadorPolandCosta Rica
2002Germany Rep. Of IrelandCameroonSaudi Arabia
1998Germany YugoslaviaIranUSA
1994Germany SpainSouth KoreaBolivia
1990West Germany YugoslaviaColumbia United Arab Emirates
1986DenmarkGermany UruguayScotland
1982West Germany AustriaAlgeriaChile
1978Poland West Germany TunisiaMexico
1974East Germany West Germany ChileAustralia 
1970West Germany PeruBulgariaMorocco 
1966West Germany ArgentinaSpainSwitzerland 
1962West Germany ChileItalySwitzerland
1958West Germany Northern IrelandCzechoslovakiaArgentina
1954HungaryWest GermanyTurkey South Korea
1934n/an/an/an/a
1930n/an/an/an/a

Germany World Cup snapshot 

Germany enters the World Cup draw ranked ninth in the world, barely meeting the mark to be considered a Pot 1 team for the draw. The three host countries (U.S., Canada, Mexico) were automatic Pot 1 qualifiers, then joined by the nine highest-ranked qualified teams.

Germany has won the World Cup four times, coming out on top of the global tournament in 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014. They've also been runners-up four, finishing second in 1966, 1982, 1986 and 2002. 

  • Current FIFA World Ranking: No. 9 (December 2025)
  • World Cup titles: 4
  • World Cup appearances (last): 20 (Qatar 2022)
  • How Germany qualified, W-L-D: UEFA Group A winners, 5-1-0
  • World Cup record:
    • Games: 112 GP (68 W, 21 D, 23 L)
    • Goal differential: +102 (232 GS, 130 GA)

MORE: How does the 2026 World Cup draw work?

Germany World Cup 2026 preview 

For years, Germany was considered an annual powerhouse in the World Cup, consistently contending in the tournament. The 2026 event will be about Germany re-proving itself after consecutive exits in group play in 2018 and 2022.

Germany has struggled in national competitions more than its used to in recent years. In the 2025 Nations League finals, which were in Munich, Germany fell to Portugal in the semi-finals. Additionally, in World Cup qualifiers, they lost a game in what appeared to be a favorable group.

Still, with star playmakers Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, Germany will remain a dangerous opponent in the 2026 World Cup despite its recent shortcomings. 

  • Star Players: Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz
  • Players to Watch: Joshua Kimmich, Antonio Rudiger, Kai Havertz 

Who is Germany head coach?

Julian Nagelsmann has at the helm for Germany since 2023. He previously managed TSG Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. Nagelsmann replaced Hansi Flick, and when he was signed, he became Germany's second-youngest coach at 36 years old.

Under Nagelsmann, Germany reached the quarter-finals as hosts of Euro 2024.

  • Manager (Nationality): Julian Nagelsmann (Germany)
  • Date hired: Sept. 22, 2023
  • Record as national team manager (W-L-D): 17-6-6.
  • Major titles since hire: N/A
  • Notable victories: 
    • 2-0 vs. Hungary European Championship 2024
    • 2-0 vs. Denmark European Championship 2024

Germany roster at the World Cup 2026

Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, three midfielders, are set to headline the Germany roster at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Musiala will be the name to watch, however — while known as one of the best young dribblers and passers in the world, he's still recovering from fractured fibula and dislocated ankle injuries he suffered in July 2025.

Musiala's health will be worth monitoring as the World Cup approaches. Still, the 22-year-old Wirtz and the 30-year-old Kimmich are also among the team's most talented players. 

In World Cup qualifying, Nick Woltemade led the way for Germany with his four goals. Goalkeeper is another intriguing position for Germany, as Marc-Andre ter Stegen is expected to be the top choice, but his injury has opened the door for others.

Germany predicted starting XI (formation: 4-2-3-1)

Ter Stegen (GK)

Gosens, Rudiger, Tah, Kehrer

Kimmich, Goretzka

Sane, Musiala, Wirtz

Havertz

Strengths: 

  • Diverse skillsets:  Germany boasts a nice blend of veterans and youth, and one of the best young players in the world in Musiala. The squad is also at its best when moving the ball quickly, and to its top playmakers.

Weaknesses: 

  • Health: Musiala's recovery from a fractured fibula, along with a dislocated and broken ankle, will be key for Germany, as well as how he looks after his recovery. Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Kai Havertz are two more players who have dealt with injuries recently.

Germany roster for 2026 World Cup

Below is a projected 26-man roster for the 2026 World Cup. This will be updated when the squad is officially announced by Germany closer to the start of the tournament.

*Caps as of Nov. 16, 2025.

PosNameClubCaps
GKOliver BaumannTSG Hoffenheim10
GKMarc-André ter StegenBarcelona44
GKAlexander NübelVfB Stuttgart2
GKNoah AtuboluSC Freiburg0
DEFNico SchlotterbeckBorussia Dortmund23
DEFWaldemar AntonBorussia Dortmund12
DEFDavid RaumRB Leipzig34
DEFJonathan TahBayern Munich43
DEFRidle BakuRB Leipzig8
DEFAntonio RüdigerReal Madrid81
DEFNathaniel BrownEintracht Frankfurt2
DEFMalick ThiawNewcastle United5
DEFRobin KochEintracht Frankfurt15
MIDJoshua KimmichBayern Munich106
MIDAleksandar PavlovićBayern Munich9
MIDLeon GoretzkaBayern Munich67
MIDJamie LewelingVfB Stuttgart4
MIDAssan OuédraogoRB Leipzig1
MIDFelix NmechaBorussia Dortmund6
MIDKarim AdeyemiBorussia Dortmund11
MIDKevin SchadeBrentford5
MIDLeroy SanéGalatasaray72
MIDSerge GnabryBayern Munich57
MIDFlorian WirtzLiverpool37
FWDJonathan BurkardtEintracht Frankfurt5
FWDNick WoltemadeNewcastle United8
FWDKai HavertzArsenal55

Germany World Cup qualifying results

Germany finished in first place in UEFA Group A, securing their automatic place in the draw in December with a game to spare following a 4-0 win over Ukraine. 

Germany World Cup history

Germany has won the World Cup four times.

  • World Cups appearances: 20
  • Best finish:  Winners (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014)
  • All-time goals scored: 232
  • All-time goals conceded:  130
  • All-time record (W-L-D): 68-23-21
YearStage ReachedEliminated ByW-L-D
2022Group StageJapan, Costa Rica1-1-1
2018Group StageSweden, Mexico1-2-0
2014ChampionsN/A5-1-0
2010Third PlaceSpain 5-1-1
2006*Third Place Italy6-1-0
2002Runners-UpBrazil5-1-1
1998Quarter-FinalsCroatia 3-1-1
1994Quarter-FinalsBulgaria3-1-1
1990ChampionsN/A6-0-1
1986Runners-UpArgentina4-2-1
1982Runners-UpItaly3-2-2
1978Second Group StageItaly, Netherlands1-4-1
1974*ChampionsN/A6-0-1
1970Third PlaceItaly5-0-1
1966Runners-UpEngland4-1-1
1962Quarter-FinalsYugoslavia 2-1-1
1958Fourth PlaceSweden2-2-2
1954ChampionsN/A5-0-1
1938First RoundSwitzerland0-1-1
1934Third PlaceCzechoslovakia3-0-1

*Host

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