Germany’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers sees Antonio Rudiger return after apologising for his past behaviour, while Leroy Sane is a notable omission. Julian Nagelsmann has also included three new faces in Nnamdi Collins, Finn Dahmen, and Paul Nebel. The team faces injury challenges with key players like Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz sidelined. Germany will play Slovakia and Northern Ireland in their upcoming qualifiers.
Julian Nagelsmann has made some bold choices in his latest Germany squad selection, recalling experienced defender Antonio Rudiger while surprisingly leaving out winger Leroy Sane for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. The announcement has sparked debate among fans and pundits alike, with Nagelsmann aiming to inject fresh impetus into the national team.
Rudiger's return marks a significant moment after his exclusion from the June matches. The Real Madrid center-back faced criticism following his conduct in the Copa del Rey final, where he received a red card while on the bench. Reports indicated he'd thrown something at the referee, leading to Nagelsmann publicly condemning his behavior. Rudiger has since apologized, describing his actions as "wrong and excessive," paving the way for his reintegration into the squad.
“Antonio is a leader and a player with a strong mentality,” Nagelsmann stated in a press conference. “He acknowledged his mistake and has shown remorse. His presence will be valuable to the team, both on and off the field.”
The omission of Leroy Sane, however, is the more eye-catching decision. Sane, with 70 caps for Germany, has been a regular fixture in the national setup. His recent transfer from Bayern Munich to Galatasaray raised eyebrows, and Nagelsmann has now challenged the winger to prove his worth in the Turkish Super Lig. The coach emphasized the need for Sane to consistently perform at a high level to earn his place back in the squad for future international breaks.
“Leroy is a fantastic player, no doubt about it,” Nagelsmann explained. “But he needs to show that he can be a dominant force week in, week out. The Turkish Super Lig is a competitive league, and I want to see him excel there. This is a challenge for him to step up and demonstrate his quality.”
Adding to the intrigue, Nagelsmann has included three uncapped players in his 23-man squad. Defender Nnamdi Collins from Eintracht Frankfurt, goalkeeper Finn Dahmen from Augsburg, and Mainz midfielder Paul Nebel have all received their first call-ups, signaling a potential shift towards incorporating young talent into the national team.
“We need to look at the future and give opportunities to young players who have the potential to become key members of the squad,” Nagelsmann said. “Collins, Dahmen, and Nebel have all impressed us with their performances, and we believe they can contribute to the team’s success.”
Nagelsmann is facing a significant injury crisis, with several key players ruled out of the upcoming qualifiers. Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz, Tim Kleindienst, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Benjamin Henrichs are all sidelined due to various injuries, presenting a challenge for the coach to assemble a strong and cohesive team.
Germany begins their World Cup qualifying campaign against Slovakia on September 4th, followed by a home match against Northern Ireland three days later. These matches are crucial for Germany to secure their place in the upcoming World Cup, and Nagelsmann will be looking for his squad to deliver strong performances despite the injury setbacks and squad changes.
WE’RE BACK! The road to the @FIFAWorldCup begins in September and here is our squad to get things started! #DFB #GermanFootball #GermanMNT pic.twitter.com/8eOgZfWp9s
— German Football (@DFB_Team_EN) August 27, 2025
Here is the full Germany squad:
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Finn Dahmen (Augsburg), Alexander Nubel (Stuttgart)
Defenders: Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen), Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Nnamdi Collins (Eintracht Frankfurt), Robin Koch (Eintracht Frankfurt), Maximilian Mittelstadt (Stuttgart), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund), Nadiem Amiri (Mainz), Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Pascal Gross (Borussia Dortmund), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart), Paul Nebel (Mainz), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool)
Forwards: Niclas Fullkrug (West Ham), Nick Woltemade (Stuttgart)
The squad reflects a blend of experience and youth, with Nagelsmann clearly aiming to build a team capable of competing at the highest level. The upcoming qualifiers will provide a crucial test of his approach, and all eyes will be on Germany as they embark on their journey to the World Cup.