Spectacular World Cup plan? Nagelsmann surprises with Musiala and Karl | OneFootball

The German national team are currently working on the final details for the 2026 World Cup in Herzogenaurach, including Bayern shooting star Lennart Karl, who apparently has justified hopes of playing a major role at the tournament. National coach Julian Nagelsmann has now tested a particularly exciting attacking constellation in training

Nagelsmann had already made it clear at the start of the World Cup preparations that Karl could influence his playing time himself: „Whether he plays from the start or not is something we discuss with him and he has to show what he needs to on the pitch – so it’s up to him,“ explained the national coach at the latest press conference

Nagelsmann tries out Karl alongside Musiala

Particularly interesting: During the first training session in Herzogenaurach, Nagelsmann tested an attacking front three of Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and Lennart Karl, according to observers

A combination that stands out above all due to its enormous flexibility

All three attacking players interpret their roles extremely variably, constantly swapping positions and always looking for the spaces in between. It is precisely this fluidity that could become a decisive factor for the German national team at the World Cup

Nagelsmann had already emphasized that Karl could be deployed both centrally and on the wing

Karl and Musiala as the new DFB duo?

photo: IMAGO

The possible combination of Karl and Musiala is attracting particular attention, as both are regarded as extremely creative players with strong technique in confined spaces

However, it remains to be seen whether Nagelsmann will actually field the duo together in the starting eleven, as much will depend on how well they harmonize with each other in the upcoming test matches

One thing is clear: the competition in attack remains enormous

In addition to Wirtz, Musiala and Karl, classic wingers such as Leroy Sané and Jamie Leweling are also available, while players such as Kai Havertz can also be deployed flexibly behind the front line

For Lennart Karl, however, his current role alone is already a clear signal. The youngster seems to have played his way into Julian Nagelsmann’s sights in a very short space of time – and could finally celebrate his international breakthrough at the 2026 World Cup.