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Germany has historically been one of international soccer's top teams.
The nation has lifted the trophy four times, but has not done so since 2014, exiting in the group stage at each of the past two tournaments.
At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with young Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala leading the way, Germany will be looking to bring the trophy back to Berlin.
The Sporting News breaks down Germany’s path at the 2026 World Cup, the national team roster and how the side has performed throughout World Cup history.
2026 WORLD CUP HQ: Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule
Germany World Cup schedule and results
Germany, as a Pot 1 team, was drawn into Group E in the World Cup draw. Their competitors in the group will be Ecuador, Curacao and Ivory Coast.
World Cup 2026 Group E
| Germany | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | +7 |
| Ivory Coast | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Ecuador | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 |
| Curacao | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | -6 |
Germany Group E match schedule
| Date | Time (ET) | Match | Location |
| Sun, Jun. 14 | 1 p.m. | Germany 7, Curacao 1 | NRG Stadium (Houston) |
| Sat, Jun. 20 | 4 p.m. | Germany 2, Ivory Coast 1 | BMO Field (Toronto) |
| Thu, Jun. 25 | 4 p.m. | Ecuador vs. Germany | MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ) |
Where to watch Germany World Cup 2026 games
In the United States, the World Cup will be broadcast in English on Fox, with streaming options available via Fubo, who are offering a free trial.
Here is how you can watch the action across other major territories:
| TV channel | Live stream | |
| Canada | TSN | Amazon Prime |
| UK | BBC, ITV, STV | BBC iPlayer, ITV X, STV Player |
| Australia | SBS | SBS On Demand |
| India | TBD | TBD |
Germany all-time World Cup groups
Germany has appeared in every World Cup since 1954, but has failed to advance past the group stage the past two tournaments after seven consecutive top finishes within its group.
| Year: | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | 4th Place |
| 2022 | Japan | Spain | Germany | Costa Rica |
| 2018 | Sweden | Mexico | South Korea | Germany |
| 2014 | Germany | USA | Portugal | Ghana |
| 2010 | Germany | Ghana | Australia | Serbia |
| 2006 | Germany | Ecuador | Poland | Costa Rica |
| 2002 | Germany | Rep. of Ireland | Cameroon | Saudi Arabia |
| 1998 | Germany | Yugoslavia | Iran | USA |
| 1994 | Germany | Spain | South Korea | Bolivia |
| 1990 | West Germany | Yugoslavia | Columbia | United Arab Emirates |
| 1986 | Denmark | Germany | Uruguay | Scotland |
| 1982 | West Germany | Austria | Algeria | Chile |
| 1978 | Poland | West Germany | Tunisia | Mexico |
| 1974 | East Germany | West Germany | Chile | Australia |
| 1970 | West Germany | Peru | Bulgaria | Morocco |
| 1966 | West Germany | Argentina | Spain | Switzerland |
| 1962 | West Germany | Chile | Italy | Switzerland |
| 1958 | West Germany | Northern Ireland | Czechoslovakia | Argentina |
| 1954 | Hungary | West Germany | Turkey | South Korea |
| 1934 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| 1930 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Germany World Cup snapshot
Germany enters World Cup ranked 10th in the world, barely meeting the mark to be considered a Pot 1 team for the draw back in December. The three host countries (U.S., Canada, Mexico) were automatic Pot 1 qualifiers, then joined by the nine highest-ranked qualified teams.
Germany has won the World Cup four times, coming out on top of the global tournament in 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014. They've also been runners-up four, finishing second in 1966, 1982, 1986 and 2002.
- Current FIFA World Ranking: 10 (April 2026)
- World Cup titles: 4
- World Cup appearances (last): 20 (Qatar 2022)
- How Germany qualified, W-L-D: UEFA Group A winners, 5-1-0
- World Cup record:
- Games: 112 GP (68 W, 21 D, 23 L)
- Goal differential: +102 (232 GS, 130 GA)
MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:
- Updated FIFA World Rankings
- How World Cup qualifying works
- Explaining the expanded World Cup bracket
- Full list of teams to qualify for 2026 World Cup
Germany World Cup 2026 preview
For years, Germany was considered an annual powerhouse in the World Cup, consistently contending in the tournament. The 2026 event will be about Germany re-proving itself after consecutive exits in group play in 2018 and 2022.
Germany has struggled in national competitions more than its used to in recent years. In the 2025 Nations League finals, which were in Munich, Germany fell to Portugal in the semi-finals. Additionally, in World Cup qualifiers, they lost a game in what appeared to be a favorable group.
Still, with star playmakers Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, Germany will remain a dangerous opponent in the 2026 World Cup despite its recent shortcomings.
- Star Players: Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz
- Players to Watch: Joshua Kimmich, Antonio Rudiger, Kai Havertz
Who is Germany head coach?
Julian Nagelsmann has been at the helm for Germany since 2023. He previously managed TSG Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. Nagelsmann replaced Hansi Flick, and when he was signed, he became Germany's second-youngest coach at 36 years old.
Under Nagelsmann, Germany reached the quarter-finals as hosts of Euro 2024.
- Manager (Nationality): Julian Nagelsmann (Germany)
- Date hired: Sept. 22, 2023
- Record as national team manager (W-L-D): 21-6-6.
- Major titles since hire: N/A
- Notable victories:
- 2-0 vs. Hungary European Championship 2024
- 2-0 vs. Denmark European Championship 2024
Germany roster at the World Cup 2026
Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, three midfielders, are set to headline the Germany roster at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Musiala will be the name to watch, however — while known as one of the best young dribblers and passers in the world, he spent much of last season recovering from fractured fibula and dislocated ankle injuries he suffered in July 2025.
Musiala's health will be worth monitoring as the World Cup approaches. Still, the 23-year-old Wirtz and the 31-year-old Kimmich are also among the team's most talented players.
In World Cup qualifying, Nick Woltemade led the way for Germany with his four goals. Goalkeeper is another intriguing position for Germany, with veteran Manuel Neuer recalled for the tournament.
Germany starting XI vs. Ivory Coast (formation: 3-4-3)
Neuer (GK)
Kimmich, Tah, Schlottebeck
Nmecha, Musiala, Pavlovic, Brown
Sane, Havertz, Wirtz
Strengths:
- Diverse skillsets: Germany boasts a nice blend of veterans and youth, and one of the best young players in the world in Musiala. The squad is also at its best when moving the ball quickly, and to its top playmakers.
Weaknesses:
- Health: How Musiala looks after his recovery from a fractured fibula, along with a dislocated and broken ankle, will be key for Germany. In attack, Havertz's muscle issues never feel entirely overcome.
Germany roster for 2026 World Cup
Nagelsmann named his final squad on May 21. He had planned on an announcement the week before but decided to delay it until the Bundesliga season had concluded.
Caps and stats are correct as of May 20.
| GK | Oliver Baumann | Hoffenheim (Bundesliga, Germany) | 35 | 11 | |
| GK | Manuel Neuer | Bayern Munich (Bundesliga, Germany) | 40 | 124 | |
| GK | Alexander Nubel | Bayern Munich (Bundesliga, Germany) | 29 | 3 | |
| DEF | Waldemar Anton | Borussia Dortmund (Bundesliga, Germany) | 29 | 12 | |
| DEF | Nathaniel Brown | Eintracht Frankfurt (Bundesliga, Germany) | 22 | 3 | |
| DEF | Pascal Gross | Brighton and Hove Albion (Premier League, England) | 34 | 18 | |
| DEF | Joshua Kimmich | Bayern Munich (Bundesliga, Germany) | 31 | 108 | |
| DEF | David Raum | RB Leipzig (Bundesliga, Germany) | 28 | 36 | |
| DEF | Antonio Rudiger | Real Madrid (La Liga, Spain) | 33 | 82 | |
| DEF | Nico Schlotterbeck* | Borussia Dortmund (Bundesliga, Germany) | 26 | 25 | |
| DEF | Jonathan Tah | Bayern Munich (Bundesliga, Germany) | 30 | 45 | |
| DEF | Malick Thiaw | Newcastle United (Premier League, England) | 24 | 5 | |
| MID | Nadiem Amiri | Mainz (Bundesliga, Germany) | 29 | 9 | |
| MID | Leon Goretzka | Bayern Munich (Bundesliga, Germany) | 31 | 69 | |
| MID | Lennart Karl | Bayern Munich (Bundesliga, Germany) | 18 | 2 | |
| MID | Jamal Musiala | Bayern Munich (Bundesliga, Germany) | 23 | 40 | |
| MID | Felix Nmecha | Borussia Dortmund (Bundesliga, Germany) | 25 | 6 | |
| MID | Assan Ouedraogo | RB Leipzig (Bundesliga, Germany) | 20 | 1 | |
| MID | Aleksandar Pavlovic | Bayern Munich (Bundesliga, Germany) | 22 | 9 | |
| MID | Leroy Sane | Galatasaray (Super Lig, Turkey) | 30 | 74 | |
| MID | Angelo Stiller | Stuttgart (Bundesliga, Germany) | 25 | 7 | |
| MID | Florian Wirtz | Liverpool (Premier League, England) | 23 | 39 | |
| FWD | Maximilian Beier | Borussia Dortmund (Bundesliga, Germany) | 23 | 7 | |
| FWD | Kai Havertz | Arsenal (Premier League, England) | 26 | 57 | |
| FWD | Jamie Leweling | Stuttgart (Bundesliga, Germany) | 25 | 4 | |
| FWD | Deniz Undav | Stuttgart (Bundesliga, Germany) | 29 | 7 | |
| FWD | Nick Woltemade | Newcastle United (Premier League, England) | 24 | 10 |
*Suffered an injury after matchday two and will miss rest of tournament
Germany World Cup qualifying results
Germany finished in first place in UEFA Group A, securing their automatic place in the draw in December with a game to spare following a 4-0 win over Ukraine.
Germany World Cup history
Germany has won the World Cup four times.
- World Cups appearances: 20
- Best finish: Winners (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014)
- All-time goals scored: 232
- All-time goals conceded: 130
- All-time record (W-L-D): 68-23-21
| Year | Stage Reached | Eliminated By | W-L-D |
| 2022 | Group Stage | Japan, Costa Rica | 1-1-1 |
| 2018 | Group Stage | Sweden, Mexico | 1-2-0 |
| 2014 | Champions | N/A | 5-1-0 |
| 2010 | Third Place | Spain | 5-1-1 |
| 2006* | Third Place | Italy | 6-1-0 |
| 2002 | Runners-Up | Brazil | 5-1-1 |
| 1998 | Quarter-Finals | Croatia | 3-1-1 |
| 1994 | Quarter-Finals | Bulgaria | 3-1-1 |
| 1990 | Champions | N/A | 6-0-1 |
| 1986 | Runners-Up | Argentina | 4-2-1 |
| 1982 | Runners-Up | Italy | 3-2-2 |
| 1978 | Second Group Stage | Italy, Netherlands | 1-4-1 |
| 1974* | Champions | N/A | 6-0-1 |
| 1970 | Third Place | Italy | 5-0-1 |
| 1966 | Runners-Up | England | 4-1-1 |
| 1962 | Quarter-Finals | Yugoslavia | 2-1-1 |
| 1958 | Fourth Place | Sweden | 2-2-2 |
| 1954 | Champions | N/A | 5-0-1 |
| 1938 | First Round | Switzerland | 0-1-1 |
| 1934 | Third Place | Czechoslovakia | 3-0-1 |
*Host
Germany World Cup 2026 betting odds
Below are the odds for Germany to be eliminated from each stage of the tournament. Odds are via Draftkings in the U.S., correct as of June 10.
| Stage of elimination | Odds |
| Group stage | +3000 |
| Round of 32 | +180 |
| Round of 16 | +180 |
| Quarterfinal | +500 |
| Semifinal | +700 |
| Final | +1200 |
| Win the World Cup | +1200 |
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