Germany names 26-Man squad for Switzerland and Ghana friendlies as World Cup looms

Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann has unveiled a 26-man squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Switzerland and Ghana, marking a critical step in his final preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The two fixtures, scheduled for March 27 in Basel and March 30 in Stuttgart, represent the last opportunity for Nagelsmann to assess his player pool before naming his final tournament squad in May. With qualification for the global showpiece in the United States, Canada, and Mexico already secured, Die Mannschaft will use the matches to fine-tune tactics and evaluate players on the fringes of the first team.

Nagelsmann’s selection blends established stars with emerging talent, including maiden call-ups for two debutants: goalkeeper Jonas Urbig and teenage winger Lennart Karl. Karl, in particular, has earned his place following a breakthrough season with Bayern Munich.

In the absence of veteran goalkeepers Manuel Neuer and Marc-André ter Stegen, Urbig is set to compete with Oliver Baumann and Alexander Nübel for the starting role, though Baumann is widely expected to remain the first-choice keeper.

The squad receives a significant boost in attack with the return of Kai Havertz, who has recovered from a knee injury. He joins a potent forward line that includes Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sané, and Deniz Undav.

However, there is no place for Jamal Musiala, who is still being carefully managed following a recent injury setback. Explaining the decision to leave out the influential playmaker, Nagelsmann said: “He had a slight reaction. That’s normal, but it’s frustrating because he had been on a good path. But we and Bayern share the same interest: that the player gets healthy again. I decided against taking him with us and letting him play through pain. That doesn’t help anyone. As always, I had a very good exchange with Vincent Kompany.”

Other notable absentees include Karim Adeyemi and Nadiem Amiri, while key figures such as Antonio Rüdiger, Pascal Groß, and Florian Wirtz return to bolster the squad.

The fixture against Ghana, to be played at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart, is particularly anticipated. It will offer a high-profile test for the Black Stars against one of Europe’s traditional powerhouses, providing a valuable benchmark for the Ghanaian side as they continue to build towards their own objectives.

Germany’s 26-man squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann, Alexander Nübel, Jonas Urbig

Defenders: Waldemar Anton, Nathanial Brown, Joshua Kimmich, David Raum, Antonio Rüdiger, Nico Schlotterbeck, Jonathan Tah, Malick Thiaw, Josha Vagnoman

Midfielders: Pascal Gross, Leon Goretzka, Felix Nmecha, Aleksander Pavlovic, Anton Stach, Florian Wirtz

Attackers: Serge Gnabry, Kai Havertz, Lennart Karl, Jamie Leweling, Leroy Sané, Kevin Schade, Deniz Undav, Nick Woltemade