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Germany conclude their Group A campaign in UEFA's World Cup qualifying section this month.
Die Mannschaft are four-time winners at football's biggest tournament but have suffered dreadful form since their most recent success.
At Russia in 2018 and in Qatar 2022, Germany were dumped out at the group stage. On home soil at Euro 2024, Julian Nagelsmann's side were knocked out in the quarterfinals by eventual winners Spain.
The Sporting News examines the state of play of Germany's qualification hopes.
MORE: How Italy failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
Have Germany qualified for World Cup 2026?
Germany head into the final matchday in Group A with qualification still up for grabs.
A 2-0 win over Luxembourg on November 14 moved Germany on to 12 points. However, a last-gasp win for Slovakia over Northern Ireland means they head into the concluding qualifier in Leipzig on November 17 level on points.
Germany lost 2-0 in Slovakia in their opening match, although a superior goal difference means a draw will be enough to hang onto top spot. A repeat of that September defeat will mean the playoffs for Julian Nagelsmann's team.
MORE: All you need to know about how UEFA's World Cup qualifying section works
Germany World Cup qualifying results, fixtures
Germany have one game left in Group I:
- Monday, November 17: Germany vs. Slovakia
Germany World Cup 2026 qualifying results
| Date | Match | Venue |
| September 4, 2025 | Slovakia 2-0 Germany | Tehelne pole (Bratislava, Slovakia) |
| September 7, 2025 | Germany 3-1 N. Ireland | RheinEnergieStadion (Cologne, Germany) |
| October 10, 2025 | Germany 4-0 Luxembourg | Rhein-Neckar Arena (Sinsheim, Germany) |
| October 13, 2025 | N. Ireland 0-1 Germany | Windsor Park (Belfast, Northern Ireland) |
| November 14, 2025 | Luxembourg 0-2 Germany | Stade de Luxembourg (Luxembourg City, Luxembourg) |
| November 17, 2025 | Germany vs. Slovakia | Red Bull Arena (Leipzig, Germany) |
Germany World Cup record
Germany have won the FIFA World Cup four times (1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014), placing them level with Italy in the all-time standings. Only Brazil (five) have won the tournament more often. Germany have also been runners-up four times
Die Mannschaft have competed in 20 out of 22 World Cup, missing only the inaugural edition in 1930 and the 1950 tournament. On the latter occasion, FIFA only readmitted the reformed German Football Association in September 1950 following the Second World War, so Germany were not eligible to compete.
Germany record at the World Cup
| Year | Stage reached | Host nation |
| 1930 | Did not enter | Uruguay |
| 1934 | Third place | Italy |
| 1938 | First round | France |
| 1950 | Ineligible | Brazil |
| 1954 | Won | Switzerland |
| 1958 | Fourth place | Sweden |
| 1962 | Quarterfinals | Chile |
| 1966 | Runners-up | England |
| 1970 | Third place | Mexico |
| 1974 | Won | West Germany |
| 1978 | Quarterfinals | Argentina |
| 1982 | Runners-up | Spain |
| 1986 | Runners-up | Mexico |
| 1990 | Won | Italy |
| 1994 | Quarterfinals | United States |
| 1998 | Quarterfinals | France |
| 2002 | Runners-up | Japan and South Korea |
| 2006 | Third place | Germany |
| 2010 | Third place | South Africa |
| 2014 | Won | Brazil |
| 2018 | Group stage | Russia |
| 2022 | Group stage | Qatar |
MORE: Revisiting the 1930 World Cup — the start of a sporting revolution
Germany World Cup schedule
Should they qualify, Germany's schedule at the 2026 will not be known until the World Cup draw, when the six groups are decided and pathways to the final become clearer.
When is the World Cup draw?
The draw for the 2026 World Cup takes place in Washington, D.C. on Friday, December 5.
The ceremony is due to start at 12 p.m. local time (ET).
English (US)