Julian Nagelsmann Aims For Two Wins To Seal World Cup

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has made it clear that he is not interested in experiments or testing new players during the final two World Cup qualifiers. His only goal is to secure two important victories that will confirm Germany’s automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The national team will face Luxembourg first and then host Slovakia, and winning both matches will seal their top position in Group A.

Speaking at a press conference, Nagelsmann said the focus was simple — to win both games and secure six points. “We want to have a good balance in the squad,” he said. “Every position must be covered twice. The most important thing is to succeed in these matches, collect six points, and qualify for the World Cup.” He stressed that Germany’s fate depends only on their own performances and not on other teams’ results.

Germany will first travel to Luxembourg on Friday before hosting Slovakia on November 17. The team currently sits on top of Group A with nine points, just ahead of Slovakia on goal difference. Northern Ireland follows with six points, while Luxembourg remains without a win. A victory in both matches will guarantee automatic qualification, while second place will lead to a playoff in March 2026.

Nagelsmann emphasized that Germany cannot afford another setback. “We don’t have the luxury of another slip-up,” he said, referring to their 2-0 loss to Slovakia in September. Since that defeat, Germany have bounced back with three consecutive wins, showing improvement and determination to secure their spot. The coach praised his players’ progress but reminded them that the task is not yet complete.

Nagelsmann raised some eyebrows with his decision to leave out VfB Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller. The 24-year-old, who has five international caps, was not included in the squad, but the coach made it clear that Stiller’s international future remains open. “I talked to Angelo. His development is good, but right now, Felix Nmecha and Aleksandar Pavlovic are slightly ahead,” said Nagelsmann. “He must continue improving. The door is not closed.”

Germany had to make one forced change due to injury. Nadiem Amiri, who was initially part of the squad, suffered an adductor muscle problem and had to withdraw. Youngster Assan Ouedraogo, a Germany youth international, was given a late call-up as his replacement. Nagelsmann said he was impressed with the young player’s performances and wanted to give him the chance to gain senior-level experience.

Nagelsmann spoke about his strategy to maintain balance and consistency in the team. He explained that every position has two capable players to ensure flexibility and avoid overreliance on any single individual. “We want to cover every position twice so that we can handle any situation,” he said. This balanced approach has been one of Nagelsmann’s main coaching principles since taking charge of the national team.

Germany, a four-time World Cup champion, is eager to perform better after two consecutive first-round exits in 2018 and 2022. The 2026 tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, offers a new chance for redemption. The German Football Federation and fans expect the team to go deep into the tournament under Nagelsmann’s leadership.

While the coach expressed confidence in his players, he also maintained a cautious tone. “We have improved our starting conditions, but we still need to complete the job,” Nagelsmann said. His comments show his awareness that football can be unpredictable and that every match must be approached with full focus.

If Germany manages to win their final two qualifiers, they will enter the World Cup preparation phase early, giving Nagelsmann more time to fine-tune tactics and team chemistry. His disciplined leadership, emphasis on teamwork, and refusal to take unnecessary risks have been key to Germany’s steady progress. Fans now look forward to seeing the team secure their spot and start dreaming again of lifting the World Cup trophy.