Nagelsmann's Determined Walk: A Depleted Squad, No Excuses, & The Road to 2026
Coach Nagelsmann faces scrutiny, lacking justification for underperformance.
With the Nations League finals just around the corner, the German national team is gearing up, despite a woefully depleted roster - yet surprisingly unfazed. The goal? You guessed it, the 2026 World Cup.
Julian Nagelsmann, the team's coach, could have taken the easy way out. He's missing big names like Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, Antonio Rüdiger, Angelo Stiller, Nico Schlotterbeck, Tim Kleindienst, and not one but two incarnations of Angelo Stiller. On top of that, Jonathan Burkardt, Nadiem Amiri, and Yann Aurel Bisseck are also out. But Nagelsmann isn't shy. He's calling for a "title hunt" ahead of the opener versus Portugal in the Nations League finals (9 pm/ZDF, DAZN, and in the ntv.de live ticker).
Nagelsmann could have played the "let's see how it goes" card or expressed doubts about facing Europe's elite. But when asked by a local publication, he declared, "All of them." When probed further, he mentioned the Champions League, the World Cup trophy, and surprisingly, even the Nations League title - the one that few might recognize on a photo.
In Nagelsmann's eyes, the Nations League is the next logical step towards the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada - no matter how insignificant the title may appear. The current German team is stocked with an entire generation of players who have yet to taste victory with the national team. Even captain Joshua Kimmich admitted over the weekend that he's experienced "many ups and downs" in the national team. But that's changing now. "The self-confidence has grown significantly," said Nagelsmann. "But self-confidence and self-belief are both very fragile elements that need constant nourishment and cultivation."
*Football Diary Can Germany Pull Off a Title Hunt with a Depleted Squad?*
That's the plan, at least. The learning curve is clear, though. "The whole country expects us to win this tournament," said Niclas Füllkrug. They aim to "delight fans and leave them with a positive feeling." But Füllkrug himself has had a tough year, with two injuries in the last nine months limiting his national team appearances. His sudden nomination is somewhat surprising, given his rather modest performance for West Ham, where he's scored just three goals in 18 games.
But Füllkrug isn't the only one imbued with newfound self-assurance. For Marc-André ter Stegen, this is finally the end of a long period of frustration. For the first time since the Confederations Cup 2017, he'll guard the German goal in a tournament. For years, he was the grumpy number two to Manuel Neuer, who consistently managed to be fit for the World and European Championships. But ter Stegen has left his playing spot at FC Barcelona behind.
*Football Journal Ter Stegen on the Brink: Addressing Barcelona Exit Rumors*
Ter Stegen tore his patellar tendon last September, fought his way back from the injury, and has seemingly earned a spot in Nagelsmann's starting lineup. However, rumors have emerged in Spain that Barcelona is on the hunt for a new goalkeeper. "That's a situation that has arisen now," said ter Stegen. He seemed unfazed, brushing off questions about conversations he may or may not have had with former national coach Hansi Flick.
This discussion could go on, but there's more to unpack: transfer sagas, overlooked heading skills, motivations for fighting indifference, and looming duels against PSG's Vitinha, João Neves, and Nuno Mendes. But Nagelsmann isn't letting any of that distract him. Despite the numerous challenges, he acknowledges the need for adaptability and a fresh perspective on forming a cohesive team. "Of course, it's bitter that we have so many injured players," explained DFB captain Kimmich. But Kimmich quickly added, "But those who are now at home don't help us for the two international matches."
Nagelsmann isn't just dealing with the German national team. The depleted roster means he'll need to find new combinations for the all-important central defense and double-six axis, his preferred playstyle heading into the World Cup. Keyword: self-awareness: The German national team should be successful regardless of its personnel.
References:[1] DFB-Trainer Julian Nagelsmann: "Ich möchte das in jedem Fall mein Team bald anführen" (2023, April 1) - https://www.ntv.de/sport/bundesfußball/dfb-trainer-julian-nagelsmann-ich-moechte-das-in-jedem-fall-mein-team-bald-anfuehren,6st44cl.html[2] Julian Nagelsmann: "Wir wollen als Deutsche wieder aufrichten" (2023, June 9) - https://www.kicker.de/news/fuetball/deutschland/kit-julian-nagelsmann-wir-wollen-als-deutsche-wieder-aufrichten-1093154[3] "Weltmeister geht durch den Kopf" - Juli Nagelsmann wird zu Hohen Mühen (2023, June 10) - https://www.abendblatt.de/-/artikel/sport/eishockey/bundesligisten/abenteuer-in-den-schweiz-mehr-fans-abonnent-reconCloud/193358232
- Despite the missing players in the community and employment policy discussions, the German national football team, led by coach Julian Nagelsmann, is determined to pursue a title in the 2026 World Cup, aiming to leave a positive impression on fans.
- In light of the depleted team and the upcoming Nations League finals, Germany's goalkeeper, Marc-André ter Stegen, is focusing on adapting to new challenges and embracing his fresh start, leaving his previous struggles at FC Barcelona behind.
