Saibari to Bayern for €55m as Germany eye Saturday qualification

Saibari to Bayern is done at €55m

Ismael Saibari is joining Bayern Munich. The PSV midfielder and Moroccan international will cost €55m, and Bavarian Football Works calls it a done deal (1). This is a Vincent Kompany signing. Saibari scored against Brazil in Morocco's Group C opener Saturday, so the timing is no accident. He arrives to strengthen an attacking midfield that already includes Jamal Musiala.

Nagelsmann told Nmecha: best in the world

Julian Nagelsmann did not hold back with Felix Nmecha. The Germany head coach told the Dortmund midfielder he could become the best player in the world in his position, if he stays fit (2). Nagelsmann said this before the World Cup kicked off. Nmecha then scored in the 7–1 win over Curaçao. The coach's word carries weight right now.

Germany can seal the round of 32 on Saturday

Your team can lock up a knockout spot as early as Saturday. Spain's draw with Cape Verde means a Germany win over Ecuador on June 20 sends you through (4) (7). The math is simple. One more victory and the group is done. No last-matchday stress.

Schlotterbeck got backed by his rivals

Nico Schlotterbeck conceded a goal against Curaçao. What happened next is what Nagelsmann wanted to highlight. Waldemar Anton and Antonio Rüdiger, Schlotterbeck's direct competitors for a starting spot, immediately pushed him and lifted him (5). "That's the spirit," Nagelsmann said. "Even though he's their competitor. That's the key."

Brown scored, and Newcastle are watching

Nathaniel Brown scored on his World Cup debut. The left-back started against Curaçao, got forward relentlessly, and put his name on the scoresheet in the 7–1 win (6). Joshua Kimmich provided two assists from midfield, and Leroy Sané also found the net. Brown's performance has Newcastle United interested.

Fernández stays at Nürnberg another year

Javier Fernández is staying in the 2. Bundesliga. Bayern Munich extended the young midfielder's loan at 1. FC Nürnberg, where Miroslav Klose is head coach (3). Sporting director Christoph Freund said Fernández developed well despite injuries and called the extension "the right step for his continued development."

Fan reactions

The mood online is buoyant but hungry. A popular stat circulating on r/worldcup points out that Germany have never gone more than 12 years without reaching a World Cup final since WWII, and the clock is ticking on the current gap. Over on r/BayernMunich, Kai Havertz's goal in the 7–1 win got its own highlight thread. Meanwhile, a broader World Cup thread flagged goalkeeping as the standout of the tournament so far, noting Germany could easily have scored even more against Curaçao. See more on r/worldcup.