Germany’s Road to World Cup 2026
With just one year to go, Germany’s national team prepares for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a strategic qualification plan and high ambitions under coach Julian Nagelsmann.
DFB
By Elke Porter | Westcoast German News | June 19, 2025
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DFB and the FIFA World Cup 2026: Germany’s Roadmap to the World Cup
As of June 19th, we are almost exactly one year away from the kickoff of the FIFA World Cup 2026—a pivotal moment for German football. Now is the time for a battle plan. The German national football team and the German Football Association (DFB) are entering an exciting qualification phase for a tournament that will, for the first time, be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the USA.
Following the draw for the European Qualifiers, head coach Julian Nagelsmann’s path to the World Cup is outlined, but many details remain to be finalized. The coming months will be decisive as Germany prepares for its mission to capture a historic fifth world title.
The Starting Point: The Nations League as the Key
Germany is seeded as a UEFA Nations League quarterfinalist and will face Italy in March 2025. The quarterfinal will be played over two legs (March 20 in Milan, March 23 in Dortmund). The outcome of this clash will determine Germany’s route through World Cup qualification:
- If Germany defeats Italy:
The team advances to the Nations League Final Four and will compete in Group A (four teams) against Slovakia, Northern Ireland, and Luxembourg. - If Germany loses to Italy:
The DFB team will be placed in Group I (five teams) and face Norway, Israel, Estonia, and Moldova.
Head coach Julian Nagelsmann emphasized after the draw in Zurich:
“This group might be a bit more comfortable, but we don’t know yet. First, we have to beat Italy.”
The Roadmap for Fall 2025
If Germany is placed in a four-team group, qualification will begin in September 2025. If in a five-team group, qualification starts as early as March 2025. All matches will be played home and away, with the group stage concluding in November 2025.
Key Dates:
- March 2025: Qualification starts (if in a five-team group)
- September 2025: Qualification starts (if in a four-team group)
- November 2025: End of group stage
- March 2026: Play-offs for the remaining European World Cup spots
European World Cup Spots
Europe has been allocated 16 spots for the 2026 World Cup:
- 12 group winners qualify directly.
- 4 additional spots are decided via play-offs: The twelve group runners-up and the four best Nations League group winners (who have not already qualified) will compete for the final tickets.
Because Germany won its Nations League group, even a weaker group stage performance leaves the team with a chance to reach the play-offs.
Germany’s Ambitions and the Role of the DFB
The DFB, as the governing body, is responsible for organizing, coordinating, and strategically guiding the national team. With Julian Nagelsmann at the helm, the association is relying on a blend of experience and innovation. The main goal is clear: Germany wants to travel to the 2026 World Cup and compete for the title.
Nagelsmann put it succinctly:
“The important thing is to keep our eyes on the big goal – to play the World Cup with maximum success.”
Conclusion: Excitement Until the Final Match
The upcoming months promise high excitement for all fans of the German national team. Whether in a four- or five-team group, the road to the 2026 World Cup is challenging, but with the right focus and team spirit, Germany can make history once again. The DFB is ensuring, through careful planning and clear objectives, that the team is optimally prepared for qualification.
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