Leroy Sane’s World Cup Chances: Recent Form vs. Potential

Julian Nagelsmann had specific expectations for Leroy Sane, which the player has not fully met. Nevertheless, the trend suggests the Galatasaray star might still make it to the World Cup. But what truly argues in his favor?

In late August 2025, national coach Julian Nagelsmann explained his decision not to nominate Leroy Sane for the initial World Cup qualifiers in early September. Sane had moved from FC Bayern Munich to Galatasaray a few weeks prior. Nagelsmann stated, «He’s now playing in a league that’s a notch below the Bundesliga or other top European leagues. And I think he needs to stand out more there.»

«I need a certain ratio – and he hasn’t achieved that in the first three or four games,» Nagelsmann elaborated at the time. «If you’re not playing in the English, Spanish, German, French, or Italian leagues, your ratio needs to be even better. He’s challenged to do that.» Sane needed to «prove himself in the Turkish league, score some goals and provide assists to then get back into our team.»

If one were to take Nagelsmann at his word, around nine months later, Sane’s World Cup nomination shouldn’t even be a topic of discussion. While the attacking player has had his good moments and strong periods at Galatasaray, Sane’s overall season has been rather inconsistent, particularly concerning the «ratio» Nagelsmann emphasized. He contributed seven goals and nine assists in 43 competitive appearances – decent, but not remarkably outstanding. His performance has noticeably declined recently, with only four scorer points (one goal, three assists) in 2026. Although he was sidelined for nearly four weeks with an ankle ligament tear and missed two games due to suspension, this is still insufficient to make himself indispensable for a spot in the German World Cup squad. Furthermore, Sane wasn’t a consistent starter for the Turkish champions, missing the starting lineup in both Champions League playoff matches against Juventus Turin and spending the entire 90 minutes on the bench during their 1-0 first-leg victory against FC Liverpool in the Champions League round of 16.

Despite this, the tendency is that Sane’s name will be called on Thursday when Nagelsmann announces his squad for the World Cup, starting on June 11th in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. This is especially true as Chris Führich from VfB Stuttgart, who has been in much better form recently, will reportedly not be included according to Sky, and Bayern star Serge Gnabry is famously injured.

Will Julian Nagelsmann take him to the World Cup? What speaks for Leroy Sane

But what truly argues in Sane’s favor? The sole argument that he is a difference-maker who can decide a game with his undoubted outstanding potential through a moment of genius is only partially valid. The German national team has several other players who can do the same, most notably Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala, although they operate differently from Sane. Kai Havertz can also do it, Führich potentially could, and with Lennart Karl and Said El Mala, Germany has two mega-talents who are pure difference-makers and are reportedly already secured for their World Cup tickets.

Sane has, of course, proven his qualities at the highest level more frequently than Karl or El Mala. Additionally, Sane may possess unique skills in certain aspects, such as his powerful drive from the right wing inwards to finish with his left foot, a trait perhaps unmatched by others. «We don’t have many players with his profile who often go into the center from the right wing,» Nagelsmann explained in kicker in early March, highlighting Sane’s good chances for the World Cup. «If his health permits, he can be a very important player for us.»

Furthermore, experience speaks for the Galatasaray star, both generally and specifically in the national team with 74 caps. Nagelsmann also knows Sane better than, for instance, Karl or El Mala, having worked with him during their time at FC Bayern. He knows exactly what the left-footed player can bring to the German eleven on a good day.

However, that’s precisely the point: Sane is capable of anything on a good day – but he’s had very few of those good days in recent months. «Let’s be honest: we never know 100 percent what he will bring to the pitch,» Nagelsmann admitted candidly. After he had opted against Sane for the October international matches for the second time in a row, the national coach brought the former Schalke player back in November.

He immediately put the returning player in the starting lineup, and Sane repaid him with an assist in the 2-0 win against Luxembourg. A few days later, in the decisive World Cup qualifier against Slovakia, he delivered what was arguably his best international performance in a long time. In the resounding 6-0 victory in Leipzig, Sane scored twice and assisted another goal.

German National Team: Leroy Sane Was Almost a Clear Loser of the March International Matches

With his performance against the Slovaks, Sane solidified his place in the national team again. Despite his club difficulties, he was a regular part of the German squad in the test matches at the end of March. However, in the 4-3 loss to Switzerland, Sane showed his weaker side, disappointing and having significantly less impact on the game than Bayern youngster Karl, who came on for him after about an hour. «Leroy knows what is demanded, and he must show it, and in the end, we will decide what is best for the squad,» Nagelsmann said after the match against Switzerland and before the duel with Ghana. He only brought Sane on for the last twelve minutes in the 2-1 victory over Ghana, which the ex-FCB star utilized much better than the 63 minutes against Switzerland. Had Sane not created such a stir in the final stages against Ghana and provided the crucial assist for Deniz Undav’s winning goal, he would have been a clear loser of the March international matches. But with the positive final impression before the World Cup nomination, he saved himself once more.

«He still has the opportunity to show himself. Here and, of course, at his club. The door is not closed to anyone who isn’t there, but the door isn’t permanently open for those who are there; you have to keep confirming it,» Nagelsmann emphasized Sane’s responsibility. Sane could hardly promote himself in the final phase of the season, yet he still demonstrated a quality that is very important to the national coach.

Even when he was temporarily benched, Sane did not complain at Galatasaray. He is equally popular with fans and teammates, and was celebrated for his dance moves at the recent championship celebration. In early April, Galatasaray’s vice-president Abdullah Kavukcu expressed his surprise to Sport Bild that Sane is often viewed critically in Germany, with his seemingly lethargic demeanor being seen negatively. «We cannot confirm the prejudices at all. The Leroy we experience here is a completely different person. He has a good relationship with everyone, cracks jokes, and helps the young players in training, but also as a person. We are basically laughing with him all the time,» praised Kavukcu.

Sane also enjoys a very good standing within the national team, is established, and has a good rapport with many. This is also an important criterion for Nagelsmann, who knows precisely what he gets in terms of accepting a certain role from Sane. He can rely on Sane’s qualities as a substitute, someone who can change the direction of a game, without worrying about him complaining about his bench place. Not least in the group stage of the home European Championship in 2024, Sane fully embraced this role.

«It’s the biggest stage in football; everyone wants to be there,» Sane recently emphasized in an interview with the Turkish news agency DHA, highlighting how much a World Cup nomination would mean to him.

Leroy Sane Has Only Played Two Matches at a World Cup

What could be held against Sane are his virtually non-existent appearances in major tournaments so far. World Cups, in particular, have been a surprisingly barren affair for a player of his quality at 30 years old. In the 2018 World Cup, then-national coach Joachim Löw surprisingly did not take him, despite Sane having had a phenomenal season at Manchester City, scoring ten goals and providing 15 assists, and being named the Premier League’s best U23 player.

Four years later in Qatar, Sane was indeed part of the squad, but he went into the tournament with knee problems and missed the opening match against Japan. Thus, Sane made his World Cup debut only in the second group game against Spain on November 27, 2022. He made his first World Cup start in the final group match a few days later. As is known, that remained the only time to date that Germany was eliminated, despite a 4-2 victory over Costa Rica, which included an assist from Sane.

«I would be very happy to participate in another World Cup towards the end of my career,» said Sane, who would love to finally shine on the biggest stage. It might also be his last chance, as he will be 34 at the 2030 World Cup, an advanced age for a footballer.

«Ever since Leroy has been with us, he only talks about the World Cup,» confirmed Galatasaray’s vice-president Kavukcu, emphasizing how much the upcoming highlight means to the German international. And Kavukcu also had a clear demand for Nagelsmann: «He (Sane, editor’s note) must be a regular player at the World Cup.» Recent impressions clearly argue against this.

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