Germany World Cup 2026: Another premature exit for Die Nationalelf awaits

Since claiming their third world title in 2014, Germany have had two disappointing World Cup campaigns. They will be hoping to see improvements when they head to this summer's tournament in North America.

They could only reach the quarter-finals at their home Euros two years ago, so Die Nationalelf may be feeling some pressure here. My Germany 2026 World Cup predictions can be found below, as I assess their squad and their chances of success.

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Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Alexander Nubel (Stuttgart)

Defenders: Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Nathaniel Brown (Eintracht Frankfurt), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle United)

Midfielders: Nadiem Amiri (Mainz), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Pascal Gross (Brighton and Hove Albion), Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool)

Forwards: Maximilian Beier (Borussia Dortmund), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Galatasaray), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart), Nick Woltemade (Newcastle United)

Germany won five of their six fixtures in qualifying. It flatters to deceive because some of their performances were rather disappointing. This is likely a result of boss Julian Nagelsmann frequently changing his system and tactics.

After almost three years in the job, this tinkering is a concern but it may be evidence that the pressures of the role are getting to the former Bayern Munich boss.

The coach does have a lot of talent at his disposal for this upcoming World Cup with the notable names being the creative duo of Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz.

Nagelsmann has convinced Manuel Neuer to come out of retirement to be his first-choice goalkeeper in North America at 40 years of age.

World Cup Odds

Nick Woltemade has had a rough first season with Newcastle United so he will be looking to regain his confidence over the coming weeks. He'll likely have to play second fiddle to Deniz Undav, however, with the VfB Stuttgart attacker having been prolific in the Bundesliga over the past three years.

Spain's Lamine Yamal may be the teenager most people will be fixated on this summer, but Germany have a bright, young talent of their own in Lennart Karl.

Group E Fixtures:

14 June 12pm local (6pm BST) - vs Curacao (Houston)

20 June 4pm local (9pm BST) - vs Ivory Coast (Toronto)

25 June 4pm local (9pm BST) - vs Ecuador (New York)

Player to watch: Jamal Musiala

I think any success Germany have this summer will stem from how much joy the creative players have. A lot of responsibility will fall onto the shoulders of Wirtz and Musiala, and it is the latter who I believe will be their star man in North America.

He was a bright spark for Die Nationalelf at the Euros two years ago, and now that he is older I think he can play a bigger role for Germany on the World Cup stage.

Football Odds

Prediction: Round of 16

Despite having assembled a competitive squad, it seems that Nagelsmann is still unsure about himself in his role. A bit more assertiveness could help Germany become a strong force on the international stage again, but it remains to be seen if he is capable of that.

Their qualifying campaign left more to be desired and I cannot see much improvement when they face tougher opponents in the knockout stage. I think Germany will get through their group without too many issues, but I predict they will bow out at the round of 16.

Germany are still quite some distance behind some of their rivals and I think another premature exit awaits.