Head Coach Julian Nagelsmann announced his Germany national team squad for the March international friendly matches against Switzerland and Ghana on Thursday.
During the press conference following the announcement, Nagelsmann was quick to point out that this was not the finalised World Cup squad.
Even so, this is the last international break before the tournament in North America this summer, so it’s quite significant.
Germany National Team Squad: March International Break Call-Ups
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (TSG Hoffenheim), Alexander Nübel (VfB Stuttgart), Jonas Urbig (Bayern Munich)
Defenders: Jonathan Tah, Joshua Kimmich (both Bayern München), Waldemar Anton, Nico Schlotterbeck (both Borussia Dortmund), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Nathaniel Brown (Eintracht Frankfurt), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle United), Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid), Josha Vagnoman (VfB Stuttgart)
Midfielders: Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Lennart Karl (all Bayern Munich), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Jamie Leweling (VfB Stuttgart), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool), Pascal Groß (Brighton & Hove Albion), Leroy Sané (Galatasaray), Anton Stach (Leeds United)
Forwards: Deniz Undav (VfB Stuttgart), Nick Woltemade (Newcastle United), Kevin Schade (Brentford), Kai Havertz (Arsenal).
Germany National Team Squad: A Historic Lack Of International Experience In Goal
This German national team squad lacks international experience in the goalkeeper position, which is quite uncharacteristic for a country that has produced so many all-time greats in goal.
Even so, this may not be a reason for fans of the side to worry, given that Manuel Neuer also had no real international experience going into the 2010 World Cup, but that young team did very well, and Neuer made his way to becoming the legend he is today.
However, that is a big part of the goalkeeping problem for the current Germany national team squad. They relied on Neuer for a generation, leaving the younger group of keepers with big shoes to fill now that he has retired from international football.
That said, the likely number one keeper for Germany at this World Cup will be 35-year-old Hoffenheim man Oliver Baumann, hardly a spring-chicken in his own right.
He was solid in qualifying when Marc-André ter Stegen was already out of the Germany national team squad with an injury, as he now is again.
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Two Debutants From Bayern Munich
One of the backup goalkeepers selected was Jonas Urbig, usually second-choice for the Bavarians, showing just how starved Germany are in goal.
The other player in this Germany national team squad, called up for the first time, is of course Lennart Karl, the confident teenager, who has seen his form and playing time decline at the club in recent months.
A surprise call-up for some, but the Bayern Munich starlet will look to change the opinion of his doubters.
Germany National Team Squad: Missing A Proven Goalscorer
Germany are also missing a true goalscorer, and have done so for some time, likely since the international retirement of Miroslav Klose to be exact.
However, despite all the negatives expressed above, there is still so much quality and talent in the Germany national team squad that they should do okay at the World Cup, with what will likely be a similar side.
Frankly, it will not be enough to win the title, but they could play a decent role this summer and have a good run towards the knockout stages of the competition.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Kessler-Sportfotografie
Recording Date: 19.03.2026
