Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann has made a significant change to Germany’s starting lineup for their first knockout stage match of the World Cup against Paraguay. The notable absentee is Jamal Musiala, Bayern Munich’s star player.
Nagelsmann’s selection for the Round of 16 clash on Monday (10:30 PM CET) held a major surprise: the previously established Jamal Musiala is not in the starting eleven. Instead, super-sub Deniz Undav is being given a chance from the outset.
What’s behind this decision? Is Musiala injured? Is he suspended for the DFB team? Or is it simply a tactical choice by Nagelsmann? SPOX has the answer.
Jamal Musiala Not Starting Against Paraguay for Germany: Injury, Suspension, or Tactical Decision by the DFB Team?
Musiala is fit and not suspended, so he would have been available for the German starting lineup against Paraguay. However, following a disappointing performance in the dead rubber 1-2 loss to Ecuador at the end of the group stage, Nagelsmann has opted to reshuffle the attack. The coach has decided against starting Musiala, who has not yet reached his peak form at the World Cup, and is instead opting for the impressive Undav.
«I’ve known for a few days. Julian and his coaching team have been considering what can be changed, where we can make adjustments to be even more effective,» explained DFB Sporting Director Rudi Völler to MagentaTV before the Paraguay match regarding Nagelsmann’s decision. «A few things didn’t work quite as well against Ecuador. The nation has wanted this for a long time, and now he’s in (Undav).»
Undav’s inclusion in the starting eleven had been publicly called for before the World Cup due to his strong season with VfB Stuttgart. In the first two tournament matches against Curaçao (7-1) and Ivory Coast (2-1), the attacker contributed five scorer points (three goals, two assists) in less than 60 minutes as a substitute, intensifying the calls for him to start. «You could also say that I’m letting him continue in his flow and his role because he has twice decided games in that capacity,» Nagelsmann explained his dilemma with the VfB striker after Undav’s brace against Ivory Coast.
Germany’s Starting Lineup Against Paraguay:
- Neuer — Kimmich, Tah, Rüdiger, Brown — Nmecha, Pavlovic — Sane, Wirtz — Undav, Havertz
Jamal Musiala Not Starting Against Paraguay for Germany: Injury, Suspension, or Tactical Decision by Julian Nagelsmann?
In the first knockout game, Nagelsmann now felt the time was right to put Undav into the starting lineup. He stated that Germany has had «simply too little presence» upfront at the World Cup so far, «when the opponent defended compactly. That’s why we were often forced to play the ball in front of the opponent’s midfield, where we then had too many turnovers. With a second striker, we have more presence upfront and can play the balls in. And Deniz has also earned it,» Nagelsmann explained his change to MagentaTV.
This suggests that Germany’s approach against Paraguay will lean towards a two-striker formation in a 4-4-2. Nagelsmann commented: «With the ball, we play with the same structure as always. But Deniz is naturally playing higher than Jamal in previous games. He’s a different type of player. And Kai is always the one who floats around a bit upfront and moves between the lines. But he too should be playing higher today.»
Musiala, meanwhile, is ready to come on as a substitute and could fill a similar role in the course of the game as Undav has so far. The Bayern star has «accepted being moved to the bench very well,» according to Nagelsmann in ZDF. «For him, it’s a great opportunity if the game opens up later and he has a bit more space, and doesn’t have to duel so intensely for 60, 70 minutes against the physically strong players from Ecuador and also from Paraguay today. It’s always an opportunity when you don’t start,» the DFB coach hopes that Musiala can provide significant added value to his team as a substitute.
Regarding Florian Wirtz’s role, who now has to do without his creative partner Musiala, Nagelsmann explained: «The two get along great on and off the pitch. Flo has tried very hard in every game, but he’s missing a bit of the breakthrough. A goal or a world-class action. He has very good approaches – also in combination with Nene Brown. He’s back today, and that will do Flo good. I’m confident that Flo will have a top game today.»
Jamal Musiala Not Starting Against Paraguay for Germany: Injury, Suspension, or Tactical Decision? Their Stats at the 2026 World Cup So Far
| Deniz Undav | Jamal Musiala | |
| 3 | Appearances | 3 |
| 86 minutes | Playing Time | 214 minutes |
| 3 | Goals | 1 |
| 2 | Assists | 0 |