Germany's Team in Transition: Nagelsmann Battles Against the Odds
Battle between Germany and Portugal: Multiple championships up for grabs
German football guru, Rudi Völler, peered down from the rafters of Herzogenaurach's training pitch. The venue of this birds-eye contemplation was the final practice session before the Germany squad took on Portugal in the Nations League semi-final later in the week [Spielhandel].
The view from up high didn't make Völler tower over the German team. Nick Woltemade, standing at 6'5", was a sight to behold in the 24-man squad. The 23-year-old Stuttgart striker, considered a rising star for Germany, is set to officially join the national team with his debut against Portugal [Kicker].
Nagelsmann's Quest for 2026 World Cup Glory
Woltemade might just become a regular fixture in the German national team, helping Nagelsmann pursue the ultimate goal: triumph at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico [ZDF]. But this current team is still far from the well-oiled machine Germany boasted before securing the 2014 World Cup title [Spielzeitplan].
Nagelsmann's squad has been in a constant state of flux since the home Euro 2024 tournament, with several changes forced by injury and constant personnel reshuffles [Transfermarkt]. Just ten players from the Nations League final round will be missing out, including key players such as Antonio Rüdiger, Jamal Musiala, and Kai Havertz, as well as potential starters like Angelo Stiller, Nico Schlotterbeck, or Tim Kleindienst [Welt].
A Changing Guard: Familiar Faces and New Blood
Despite these troubling absences, only three players from the Euro quarter-final starting lineup—Captain Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, and Leroy Sané—are expected to take the field against Portugal [Transfermarkt]. The future of other familiar faces like Sané, Serge Gnabry, Pascal Groß, and Leon Goretzka in the 2026 team remains uncertain, while forgotten players like Gnabry are being given another chance due to the ongoing rotations [Bild].
Juggling the Squad: Nagelsmann's Tactics
In a pre-match press conference, Nagelsmann acknowledged the challenges in finding a consistent formation after struggling to find a fixed midfield during the past months. However, he is content with the situation, explaining that he never hoped to maintain the same four midfielders in every game [Transfermarkt]. Goretzka, who has thrived amidst the flux, continues to be a regular in the DFB squad [Kicker].
Steady Progress: Germany's Unbeaten Streak
Despite mounting concerns over player injuries, Nagelsmann has his sights set on marching along the path he embarked on in March 2024: securing victories. Winning matches breeds confidence, the essence of Nagelsmann's mantra for over a year now, which appears to be working in the team's favor [Spielzeitplan]. Since the beginning of the tournament, the German national team has lost only one game: the Euro quarter-final against Spain in extra time [Transfermarkt].
Historic Feats and Future Aspirations
Nagelsmann's dream is to guide Germany from Nations League winners 2023 to Euro champions 2024 and then secure his first title at the 2026 World Cup [Transfermarkt]. If Nagelsmann succeeded in securing this "small" title for the team, it would have further implications, potentially securing Germany's status as a seeded team in the World Cup draw, surpassing Italy in the world rankings [Welt].
Portugal: Champions League Winners and formidable Opponents
Germany's semi-final opponents, Portugal, boast four fresh Champions League winners, including top star Vitinha, as they venture into Munich with world star Cristiano Ronaldo [Transfermarkt]. These fresh laurels could potentially energize the Portuguese team, yet also tire them out, offering an advantage for Nagelsmann's depleted German squad [Kicker].
Leon Goretzka: A Long Road to Redemption
Goretzka, like captain Joshua Kimmich, still remembers the last title win in 2017 at the Confederations Cup [Transfermarkt]. "That was a remarkable experience," said the 30-year-old. "It's high time for another triumph." A win against Portugal in the Nations League semi-final might just be the beginning of Germany's long-awaited return to glory [Bild].
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Naïve expectation looms for rising star Nick Woltemade as he aims for a regular place in the German national team under Nagelsmann's guidance, targeting triumph at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
However, the squad is still reeling from constant changes and inconsistencies, with the absence of key players like Antonio Rüdiger, Jamal Musiala, and Kai Havertz, forcing Nagelsmann to embrace a mix of familiar faces and new blood, such as Gnabry and Goretzka, for the upcoming Nations League semi-final against Portugal, who themselves boast fresh Champions League winners, potentially presenting both energizing and draining effects for the European-league rivals.
