PREVIEW: Germany look to rectify shock World Cup exits | OneFootball

Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann has urged his team to have confidence in their abilities as the four-time winners target a record-equalling World Cup trophy in North America.

Since being crowned world champions in Brazil 12 years ago the Germans have had two nightmare performances at the tournament – being dumped out in the group stage at both Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.

Their shock exit in Kazan eight years ago saw a 2-0 defeat to South Korea in their final group stage game eliminate them before the quarter final stage at a World Cup for the first time since 1938.

Nagelsmann has been tasked with re-establishing them amongst the competition’s elite but the 38-year-old insisted his players “need to trust” in their strengths ahead of the tournament’s 23rd edition.

The former Bayern Munich manager, who oversaw Germany’s run to the quarter finals on home soil at Euro 2024, has made sweeping changes to the squad in Qatar, with plenty of younger talents handed an opportunity this time around.

Just nine players who were part of the travelling party in the Middle East have made the cut.

Veteran Manuel Neuer is Nagelsmann’s preferred starting goalkeeper after reversing his decision to retire from international selection whilst his Bayern teammate Joshua Kimmich captains the group.

Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala retain their spots after impressing at the Euros two years ago whilst Leroy Sane, Antonio Rudiger, Leon Goretzka, Nico Schlotterbeck and David Raum were the only other survivors amongst the 26.

18-year-old Lennart Karl is on the plane after an eye-catching breakout campaign with Bayern Munich while his teammate Alexsandar Pavlovic and Nathaniel Brown are amongst the other young inductees.

Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz will have a point to prove at the tournament after his excellent displays for the national team were few and far between in the Premier League this season.

The playmaker’s form for Germany was a key reason why the Reds decided to spend in excess of £100m on the 23-year-old but he is yet to truly justify his price tag on Merseyside.

Germany will certainly be one of the more imposing outfits in North America, with Newcastle pair Nick Woltemade and Malick Thiaw called up alongside Bayern defender Jonathan Tah.

Nagelsmann has named nine outfielders who stand at least six foot two inches, and could prove to be imperious both in the air and on set pieces.

After their humiliating exits at the previous tournaments, the Germans will be aware that their place in the latter stages is far from guaranteed.

Group E looks to be a tricky draw to navigate as Ecuador’s 26 includes Piero Hincapié and Willian Pacho, who both started in this season’s Champions League final, alongside impressive holding midfielder Moises Caicedo.

Ivory Coast’s squad contains a number of formidable operators, while Curacao are an unknown on the world stage and set to make their debut in a group where their opponents will believe they are favourites to pick up the points.

Nagelsmann’s side will begin their campaign against debutants Curacao in Houston on Sunday 14th of June before heading north of the border to Toronto to take on Ivory Coast six days later.

Their final group match is against Ecuador in New Jersey on Thursday 25th June.