Without Musiala! Here’s Germany’s starting lineup against Paraguay | OneFootball

Germany kicks off the knockout stage of the World Cup tonight. National team coach Julian Nagelsmann is once again relying on five FC Bayern players in his starting lineup for the Round of 16 match against Paraguay.

The German national team is set to play its first knockout match at the 2026 World Cup today. At 10:30 p.m. German time, the DFB squad will face Paraguay in Boston. After finishing first in the group stage, Julian Nagelsmann’s team now aims to take the next step.

Compared to the last group stage match against Ecuador, the national team coach is making two changes to his starting lineup. Nathaniel Brown returns to the left side of the defense after recovering from adductor problems and replaces David Raum. Deniz Undav will start in place of Bayern star Jamal Musiala.

With Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, and Aleksandar Pavlovic, four Bayern Munich players will be on the field from the start. Joining them is Brown, a player who finalized his transfer to the German record champions just a few days ago.

Brown returns to the starting lineup

As usual, Manuel Neuer is in goal. The captain brings a wealth of experience to the game and enters the match as the all-time leading goalkeeper in World Cup history.

In front of him, Joshua Kimmich defends on the right side. Antonio Rüdiger and Jonathan Tah form the central defense, while Nathaniel Brown returns to the left side of the defense after a brief injury layoff.

Photo: IMAGO

In central midfield, Nagelsmann is once again relying on Felix Nmecha and Aleksandar Pavlovic. As has been the case recently, Leon Goretzka will have to settle for a spot on the bench for now.

Musiala is expected to make the difference in the decisive moments

Up front, the national team coach is counting on Leroy Sané, Florian Wirtz, Deniz Undav, and Kai Havertz.

Here’s a look at Germany’s starting lineup against Paraguay:

Neuer – Kimmich, Tah, Rüdiger, Brown – Pavlovic, Nmecha – Sané, Undav, Wirtz – Havertz