Germany vs. Switzerland: Nagelsmann Reveals Starting XI for Test Match

Ahead of the final World Cup squad nomination, Germany is set to face Switzerland in a crucial test match. National team coach Julian Nagelsmann has already revealed most of his team’s lineup, ending much of the speculation.

The intensity is building! On Friday, March 27, the German national team will compete against Switzerland – one of two friendly matches before the squad nomination in May. Kick-off at St. Jakob-Park in Basel is scheduled for 8:45 PM CET.

Germany’s Official Lineup Against Switzerland: Julian Nagelsmann’s Selection

The national coach has to do without several players for this final block of test matches. Jamal Musiala’s absence was confirmed early on, and after the initial squad nomination, Aleksandar Pavlovic and Felix Nmecha withdrew, followed more recently by Jamie Leweling and goalkeeper Jonas Urbig. Nagelsmann called up Angelo Stiller and Chris Führich to replace Pavlovic and Nmecha, and Finn Dahmen from Augsburg for Urbig.

Now, turning to the players who will be on the field. The DFB team has most recently played in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which will also be the case against the Nati (Switzerland’s national team).

In goal, the choice is clear: Oliver Baumann will be Germany’s number one. In the back four, Joshua Kimmich is set on the right side, a position Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann confirmed himself during Thursday evening’s press conference.

On the left, David Raum is preferred over Frankfurt youngster Nathaniel Brown. The central defense will feature Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck. Returning player Antonio Rüdiger will initially start on the bench. Rüdiger has assured the coach he will «give everything» even from the bench. Nagelsmann emphasized that in defense, «we need a good feeling and stability.»

With two defensive midfielders, Nmecha and Pavlovic, having withdrawn, Leon Goretzka from FC Bayern Munich is a certainty. Angelo Stiller, a late call-up from Stuttgart, is described as Pavlovic’s ‘clone’ in the number six role and is one of the players still needing to impress for a World Cup nomination. Serge Gnabry will fill Musiala’s attacking role alongside Florian Wirtz and likely Nick Woltemade. Karl might hope for his debut during the match.

Nagelsmann praised the 18-year-old Karl, saying he has «trained very noticeably» and that he was «very positively impressed, with no impression at all that the hype was getting to him.» The striker position remains, and Nagelsmann also confirmed this the evening before: returning player Kai Havertz. «He is an extremely good player who will do us good in that position,» Nagelsmann stated.

Further forward, Florian Wirtz will start in the center, while Leroy Sané, who has had a mixed season at Galatasaray, will start on the wing due to Leweling’s absence. Serge Gnabry completes the attacking trio. Upfront, Kai Havertz will be preferred over Deniz Undav.

Germany’s Official Lineup: Baumann – Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Raum – Stiller, Goretzka – Sané, Wirtz, Gnabry – Havertz

Switzerland’s Lineup Against the DFB Team

The Swiss team has mostly played in a 4-3-3 formation recently. Given their five consecutive wins, it’s notable that they will also start in a 4-2-3-1 against Germany.

Gregor Kobel will once again guard the goal, with a back four consisting of Silvan Widmer and Ricardo Rodriguez on the flanks, and Nico Elvedi and Manuel Akanji in central defense.

Granit Xhaka will, as usual, direct play from the defensive midfield, supported by Remo Freuler. Upfront, Dan Ndoye, Fabian Rieder, and Ruben Vargas will form the attacking line, with Breel Embolo as the lone striker.

Switzerland’s Official Lineup: Kobel – Widmer, Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez – Xhaka, Freuler – Ndoye, Rieder, Vargas – Embolo

Switzerland vs. Germany: Key Test Match Information

• Matchup: Switzerland vs. Germany
• Competition: Friendly Match
• Date: March 27, 2026
• Time: 8:45 PM CET
• Venue: St. Jakob-Park, Basel (Switzerland)
• TV Broadcast: RTL (Germany)
• Livestream: RTL+ (Paid service in Germany)

Germany Squad: Players Nominated by Julian Nagelsmann for the Switzerland Friendly