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Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Germany has historically been one of international socccer’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:Live World Cup draw tracker | Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup scheduleGermany World Cup draw Group EGermany’s group will be determined by Friday’s World Cup draw. Germany is one of 12 teams included in Pot 1 of the draw.TeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGDGermany0000000000000000Ivory Coast00000000Ecuador00000000Group match scheduleDateTime (ET)MatchLocationMORE:Which teams are in the World Cup Draw?Germany all-time World Cup groupsGermany 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 Place2nd Place3rd Place4th Place2022JapanSpainGermanyCosta Rica2018SwedenMexicoSouth KoreaGermany2014GermanyUSAPortugalGhana2010GermanyGhanaAustralia Serbia2006GermanyEcuadorPolandCosta Rica2002GermanyRep. of IrelandCameroonSaudi Arabia1998GermanyYugoslaviaIranUSA1994GermanySpainSouth KoreaBolivia1990West GermanyYugoslaviaColumbia United Arab Emirates1986DenmarkGermanyUruguayScotland1982West Germany AustriaAlgeriaChile1978Poland West Germany TunisiaMexico1974East Germany West Germany ChileAustralia 1970West Germany PeruBulgariaMorocco 1966West Germany ArgentinaSpainSwitzerland 1962West Germany ChileItalySwitzerland1958West Germany Northern IrelandCzechoslovakiaArgentina1954HungaryWest GermanyTurkey South Korea1934n/an/an/an/a1930n/an/an/an/aGermany World Cup snapshotGermany enters the World Cup draw ranked ninth in the world, barely meeting the mark to be considered a Pot 1 team for the draw. 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: No. 9 (December 2025)World Cup titles: 4World Cup appearances (last): 20 (Qatar 2022)How Germany qualified, W-L-D: UEFA Group A winners, 5-1-0World Cup record:Games: 112 GP (68 W, 21 D, 23 L)Goal differential: +102 (232 GS, 130 GA)MORE:How does the 2026 World Cup draw work?Germany World Cup 2026 previewFor 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 WirtzPlayers to Watch: Joshua Kimmich, Antonio Rudiger, Kai Havertz Who is Germany head coach?Julian Nagelsmann has 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, 2023Record as national team manager (W-L-D): 17-6-6.Major titles since hire: N/ANotable victories:2-0 vs. Hungary European Championship 20242-0 vs. Denmark European Championship 2024Germany roster at the World Cup 2026Joshua 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’s still 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 22-year-old Wirtz and the 30-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, as Marc-Andre ter Stegen is expected to be the top choice, but his injury has opened the door for others.Germany predicted starting XI (formation: 4-2-3-1)Ter Stegen (GK)Gosens, Rudiger, Tah, KehrerKimmich, GoretzkaSane, Musiala, WirtzHavertzStrengths: 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: Musiala’s recovery from a fractured fibula, along with a dislocated and broken ankle, will be key for Germany, as well as how he looks after his recovery. Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Kai Havertz are two more players who have dealt with injuries recently.Germany roster for 2026 World CupBelow is a projected 26-man roster for the 2026 World Cup. This will be updated when the squad is officially announced by Germany closer to the start of the tournament.*Caps as of Nov. 16, 2025.PosNameClubCapsGKOliver BaumannTSG Hoffenheim10GKMarc-André ter StegenBarcelona44GKAlexander NübelVfB Stuttgart2GKNoah AtuboluSC Freiburg0DEFNico SchlotterbeckBorussia Dortmund23DEFWaldemar AntonBorussia Dortmund12DEFDavid RaumRB Leipzig34DEFJonathan TahBayern Munich43DEFRidle BakuRB Leipzig8DEFAntonio RüdigerReal Madrid81DEFNathaniel BrownEintracht Frankfurt2DEFMalick ThiawNewcastle United5DEFRobin KochEintracht Frankfurt15MIDJoshua KimmichBayern Munich106MIDAleksandar PavlovićBayern Munich9MIDLeon GoretzkaBayern Munich67MIDJamie LewelingVfB Stuttgart4MIDAssan OuédraogoRB Leipzig1MIDFelix NmechaBorussia Dortmund6MIDKarim AdeyemiBorussia Dortmund11MIDKevin SchadeBrentford5MIDLeroy SanéGalatasaray72MIDSerge GnabryBayern Munich57MIDFlorian WirtzLiverpool37FWDJonathan BurkardtEintracht Frankfurt5FWDNick WoltemadeNewcastle United8FWDKai HavertzArsenal55Germany World Cup qualifying resultsGermany 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 historyGermany has won the World Cup four times.World Cups appearances: 20Best finish: Winners (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014)All-time goals scored: 232All-time goals conceded: 130All-time record (W-L-D): 68-23-21YearStage ReachedEliminated ByW-L-D2022Group StageJapan, Costa Rica1-1-12018Group StageSweden, Mexico1-2-02014ChampionsN/A5-1-02010Third PlaceSpain 5-1-12006*Third Place Italy6-1-02002Runners-UpBrazil5-1-11998Quarter-FinalsCroatia 3-1-11994Quarter-FinalsBulgaria3-1-11990ChampionsN/A6-0-11986Runners-UpArgentina4-2-11982Runners-UpItaly3-2-21978Second Group StageItaly, Netherlands1-4-11974*ChampionsN/A6-0-11970Third PlaceItaly5-0-11966Runners-UpEngland4-1-11962Quarter-FinalsYugoslavia 2-1-11958Fourth PlaceSweden2-2-21954ChampionsN/A5-0-11938First RoundSwitzerland0-1-11934Third PlaceCzechoslovakia3-0-1*Host