Germany's World Cup squad locked, Goretzka eyes redemption

World Cup opener Sunday, squad numbers locked

Germany kick off their 2026 World Cup campaign on home soil this Sunday against Curaçao. Kickoff is 19:00 MESZ. The official squad numbers are set, Jamal Musiala will wear the 10 (3) (4).

The full 26-man squad includes Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, Antonio Rüdiger, Jonathan Tah, Leroy Sané, Kai Havertz, Leon Goretzka, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Florian Wirtz, Nico Schlotterbeck, David Raum, Deniz Undav, Jamie Leweling, Nick Woltemade, Oliver Baumann, Pascal Groß, Maximilian Beier, Angelo Stiller, Nathaniel Brown, Nadiem Amiri, Alexander Nübel, Felix Nmecha, Malick Thiaw, Assan Ouédraogo, and Waldemar Anton. Lennart Karl is included but sidelined with a torn muscle fiber (3) (4).

Goretzka: "We want to put things right"

Leon Goretzka didn't hold back ahead of the tournament. The midfielder acknowledged fan scepticism after Germany's last two World Cup exits and said winning supporters back is the squad's biggest motivation.

"We're not among the top favourites, let's be honest. But as Germany, a big footballing nation, there are still high expectations of us," Goretzka said. "If we're able to grow as a team during the tournament, then the sky's the limit" (4).

Bayern's €53m Saibari push, Kompany wants him

Bayern Munich have tabled an offer worth €53 million for PSV Eindhoven attacking midfielder Ismael Saibari. This is a Vincent Kompany transfer through and through, the Moroccan wasn't high on Bayern's scouting list, but the head coach personally pushed for him (1).

Krattenmacher sold to Elversberg

Bayern Munich have sold attacking midfield prospect Maurice Krattenmacher to newly promoted Bundesliga side SV Elversberg. Sporting director Christoph Freund: "Maurice has always had great potential in attack. He has taken the next important steps at Ulm and Hertha Berlin over the last two years. Now he's ready for the Bundesliga" (2).

Fan-reaktioner

Fans on Reddit are worried about Germany's defensive fragility after watching highlights of the USA friendly. The backline looked vulnerable and several supporters feel the team was fortunate the Americans couldn't convert their chances. With the World Cup opener days away, the mood is a mix of anticipation and real concern about whether the defence can hold up when it counts.

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