The disappointment of Germany's elimination from the European Championship by Spain was palpable, but national coach Julian Nagelsmann is already looking ahead with optimism to the 2026 World Cup. He expressed his conviction that Germany could compete with the top nations and aims to clinch the title in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
In defense, Marc-André ter Stegen is expected to finally guard the German goal, possibly replacing the veteran Manuel Neuer. Joshua Kimmich will likely continue as the first-choice right-back, while Jonathan Tah could be a regular in central defense. However, there will be competition for the second central defense spot among Antonio Rüdiger, Nico Schlotterbeck, and others. David Raum is expected to secure the left-back position.
In midfield, the future looks promising with youngsters like Aleksandar Pavlović and Angelo Stiller potentially taking over central roles. Leroy Sané, Florian Wirtz, and Jamal Musiala are anticipated to be key players in the attacking midfield positions. The striker position could see Kai Havertz leading the attack, with options like Maximilian Beier and Youssoufa Moukoko as potential alternatives.
Across the border, the French national team is also gearing up for the 2026 World Cup. Didier Deschamps has a solid goalkeeping trio led by Mike Maignan, with Brice Samba and Alphonse Areola as backups. However, Lucas Chevalier is emerging as a strong contender.
Deschamps has a wealth of defensive options and young talents pushing for a place in the squad. The French team aims to secure qualification for the World Cup through qualifiers scheduled between March 2025 and 2026.
- Nagelsmann will need to make strategic decisions regarding the central midfield and attacking center positions. Players must prove themselves before the tournament to secure their spots in the final squad.
- Deschamps will announce his list for the upcoming Nations League matches against Italy and Belgium on August 29. The French team will begin their World Cup qualification journey with a focus on building a strong squad for the 2026 tournament.
