Woltemade is set to make an appearance, while Nagelsmann continues his game of cards.
Germany Kicks Off World Cup Qualifiers Against Slovakia
The German national football team is gearing up for the start of their World Cup qualifiers, with the opening game set to take place against Slovakia in Bratislava on Thursday.
Julian Nagelsmann, the national coach, has not yet revealed his starting lineup for the game, leaving fans and pundits guessing as to his tactics. However, one player who is certain to play a key role is Florian Wirtz, who recently moved to FC Liverpool and has been singled out by Nagelsmann as one of the team's most important players.
Nick Woltemade, who transferred to Newcastle United, is also expected to start in the attack, with captain Joshua Kimmich looking forward to his comeback in midfield. Kimmich believes he can bring more strengths to the team in this position, and has expressed his confidence in the input his teammates can provide.
Kimmich's absence in defence will likely be filled by Frankfurt's Nnamdi Collins, who is tipped to make his debut as right-back in place of Kimmich.
The German team's target for the opening game is a win against Slovakia, as they aim to make a strong start to their qualifying campaign. However, Nagelsmann has not yet revealed whether he will form a back three or a back four against Slovakia, adding an element of mystery to the team's preparations.
The second game for Germany is against Northern Ireland in Cologne, following the opening game in Bratislava. The second game is scheduled for Sunday at 8:45 PM.
Germany is the clear favourite in Group A, with Northern Ireland and Luxembourg as the other opponents. Only the group winner directly qualifies for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the USA.
Nagelsmann has praised Wirtz's performance during the short preparation, and has stated that Wirtz can already show himself on the national team level for his new club. Nagelsmann has also praised Woltemade's performance during the preparation period.
However, the team will be without several top players due to injury, including Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz, Nico Schlotterbeck, and goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen.
Despite the absences, the German team will be hoping to make a strong start to their World Cup qualifying campaign and secure a place at the 2026 World Cup.
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