Julian Nagelsmann, the German national team coach, is set to announce his squad for the 2026 World Cup next Thursday. The article speculates on potential surprise inclusions, with a particular focus on Borussia Dortmund’s Maximilian Beier.
«The core of the squad is largely set, with about 20 players firmly in mind and six still in contention,» stated Nagelsmann in early May. The official announcement of the German World Cup roster is scheduled for May 21st.
Nagelsmann has repeatedly emphasized that the squad selected for the March test matches against Switzerland and Ghana will form the foundation for the World Cup team. However, players who were not part of the March selection can still harbor hopes for a ticket to the tournament in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
This article explores who these players might be, who has made a strong case for inclusion in recent weeks, and which names could emerge as complete surprises. SPOX has analyzed these possibilities, including an assessment of the surprise factor.
Maximilian Beier (Borussia Dortmund) — Surprise Factor: 2 out of 10
Like his BVB teammate Karim Adeyemi, Maximilian Beier was absent from Nagelsmann’s squad for the March internationals. Instead, the coach selected Kevin Schade from FC Brentford, noting that he intends to take only one, perhaps two, of these fast counter-attacking forwards to the World Cup. «One of the three, maybe two, will ultimately make it. But they all have the same chances. Kevin now has the advantage of showing himself to us. The others had that advantage before,» Nagelsmann explained, having last called up Beier for the October international break.
In recent weeks, Beier has most emphatically put himself in the spotlight, making it difficult for Nagelsmann to overlook him. Furthermore, the offensive midfield has an additional vacancy due to the injury of Bayern Munich’s Serge Gnabry.
Beier has been consistently performing for BVB for months, culminating in a very strong end to the season from the left wing. With 20 direct goal contributions across all competitions (ten goals, ten assists), he is the best scorer among his direct competitors this season. He also demonstrates maximum work rate and commitment in every second of a game, including defensive duties – qualities that Nagelsmann is known to highly value.
Matthias Ginter (SC Freiburg) — Surprise Factor: 9 out of 10
At 32, Matthias Ginter is experiencing a renaissance. The central defender is having an outstanding season, proving as reliable as ever and playing a significant role in SC Freiburg reaching the Europa League final and being well-positioned for another international competition qualification.
Prominent figures, including record international Lothar Matthäus, are supporting Ginter’s inclusion in the World Cup squad. Former DFB star Max Kruse recently stated that the Freiburg player must be «considered,» and his teammate Igor Matanovic emphasized, «As national team coach, I would definitely take him. The team’s success speaks for itself, and he plays a huge part in it.»
Ginter himself mentioned receiving a call from Nagelsmann before the March internationals, but he was not selected at that time. Will this change in the summer? «From what I’ve heard, it’s not final yet. So, let’s see,» Ginter commented.
The 2014 World Cup winner, who at 20 did not play in that tournament, would have thoroughly deserved a World Cup nomination based on what might be the best season of his career. However, Nagelsmann has never called him up in his two and a half years in charge, and Ginter’s last of 51 international caps was in June 2023 under Hansi Flick.
Despite the high surprise factor, Ginter’s actual chances for the World Cup appear slim. With established starters Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck, along with alternatives Antonio Rüdiger and Waldemar Anton, Nagelsmann has likely already allocated four spots in central defense. This leaves the fifth center-back position, for which the coach nominated Malick Thiaw in March. The 24-year-old from Newcastle United has an advantage over Ginter not only because Nagelsmann has called him up three times but also because he is eight years younger. Thiaw offers greater future potential, and Nagelsmann might take him along to gain experience for the coming years.
A potential opening for Ginter could arise if Nagelsmann considers him as a backup for Joshua Kimmich at right-back. After all, Ginter can theoretically play at right-back and has done so a few times for the national team.
Yann Bisseck (Inter Milan) — Surprise Factor: 8 out of 10
Compared to Ginter, Yann Bisseck, at 25, also benefits from his age and greater future potential for the German national team. Nevertheless, Nagelsmann is more likely to choose between Thiaw and Ginter for the fifth center-back spot.
Despite consistently good performances for Inter Milan, Bisseck was not considered for the March internationals. A muscle injury then sidelined him for three weeks, but he made a welcome return at the end of April, scoring in Inter’s 2-2 draw against Torino. As a regular starter for the Italian champions, Bisseck can certainly claim a role in the national team.
However, he has not been part of the DFB team since his initial nomination in March 2025, when he made his international debut against Italy. Therefore, a World Cup call-up for Bisseck would be surprising primarily because, despite his strong development, it remains unlikely.
Salih Özcan (1. FC Köln) — Surprise Factor: 6 out of 10
When Nagelsmann first nominated Salih Özcan in November of the previous year, and then sent him to the U21s as planned after the first of two World Cup qualifiers, the coach emphasized, «He needs to eliminate weaknesses in the long run so that he becomes a regular starter at Köln.»
The «weaknesses» primarily referred to Özcan’s sometimes unreliable defensive work, which was one reason why the offensive gem hadn’t accumulated more starts for FC. Özcan has now fulfilled Nagelsmann’s demand from nearly half a year ago: the 19-year-old has been a regular starter for his club for weeks – especially since Lukas Kwasniok’s departure – featuring in the starting eleven for nine consecutive Bundesliga matches.
Moreover, Özcan has shown good form, consistently causing problems and contributing seven scorer points since the end of February (five goals, two assists). He has arguments to make to catch the World Cup train, especially after missing out in March. However, competition in attack is likely too fierce, even with Serge Gnabry’s absence from the World Cup. Leroy Sané, Lennart Karl, and Chris Führich, who was called up in March, are likely ranked higher among wingers than Özcan. The same probably applies to Maxi Beier, who has been in formidable form for BVB recently. Whether there will still be space for Özcan depends on Nagelsmann’s plans for other positions.
Özcan would deserve a World Cup spot. With his bold, fresh approach and playing style, the Köln player would certainly benefit the German squad, offering an option off the bench, especially in tight matches, to turn stagnant games in their favor.
Assan Ouédraogo (RB Leipzig) — Surprise Factor: 5 out of 10
Had Assan Ouédraogo not been sidelined by injury for almost the entire period from late November to late March, the RB Leipzig midfield talent might not be a surprise candidate but a very likely World Cup participant.
Before his first of two injuries, Ouédraogo was well on his way to becoming a key player in this Bundesliga season. At RB, the 2023 U17 World and European champion had earned a regular starting spot in the autumn, delivering one strong performance after another. When Nadiem Amiri had to withdraw due to injury, Ouédraogo was called up by Nagelsmann in November for the World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Slovakia. The 20-year-old made his debut in the crucial match against Slovakia, scoring his first international goal shortly after coming on.
Ouédraogo carried this momentum into club football, leading Leipzig to a 2-0 victory over Werder Bremen days later, including a spectacular goal. However, in that very game, the youngster injured his knee, initially needing almost two months out, and then re-injured himself immediately upon his return in mid-January. Consequently, Ouédraogo was not a consideration for the March internationals and only became available again in early April.
He has since been gradually integrated back into the RB lineup, starting three of the last four games. Will he be able to make it onto the World Cup squad? Nagelsmann is known to be a big admirer of Ouédraogo, who could provide crucial impetus to the German midfield with his blend of top-class technique and dynamism.
There is no doubt that the former Schalke player, who resembles Felix Nmecha in playing style, fundamentally has a claim to a place in the World Cup squad. The question remains how many central midfield spots Nagelsmann will allocate. Aleksandar Pavlović, Leon Goretzka, Pascal Groß, and Nmecha – provided he suffers no physical setbacks after his injury – should have their tickets booked. Behind them, Nagelsmann nominated Anton Stach in March, and Angelo Stiller was called up after Nmecha’s withdrawal. Whether Nagelsmann now sees Ouédraogo, who can play as a number six, eight, or ten, ahead of one of those two remains to be seen.
Nicolo Tresoldi (Club Brugge) — Surprise Factor: 9 out of 10
Niclas Füllkrug has fallen out of favor with inconsistent form at West Ham and Milan, Tim Kleindienst has missed almost the entire season injured, and Jonathan Burkardt has not truly recommended himself for a return to the DFB team in recent months. If Julian Nagelsmann decides to take a fourth striker to the World Cup, alongside the relatively certain picks Deniz Undav, Nick Woltemade, and Kai Havertz, Nicolo Tresoldi would be the most compelling option.
The German U21 international is having a strong season at Club Brugge in Belgium, even showcasing his goal-scoring prowess in the Champions League, netting against FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, for example. Tresoldi is also in good form currently, potentially becoming Belgian champions with Brugge, and scored the crucial opening goal in their 2-0 victory over St. Truiden last weekend.
Admittedly, a World Cup nomination for Tresoldi would still be very surprising, given that he was playing in the second division in Hannover just last season, and Nagelsmann has never called him up. Furthermore, there are other attractive options for his international career: as the son of an Italian born and raised in Italy, Tresoldi could also play for the Azzurri. And since his mother is from Argentina, the striker is also eligible to play for the reigning world champions.
On the other hand, a World Cup nomination could be an argument for Tresoldi to commit to Germany for the future and potentially become a reliable striker option for the DFB team for many years to come.
Anton Kade (FC Augsburg) — Surprise Factor: 10 out of 10
If Julian Nagelsmann were to ask his former assistant coach Sandro Wagner for players who might not be immediately obvious but whom he could recommend, the former Augsburg coach might recall Anton Kade. Wagner brought the attacking midfielder from FC Basel to FC Augsburg last summer and was impressed. He was «absolutely surprised that we could grab him, because he can do so many things,» Wagner wondered after Kade’s signing why no more ambitious club had pursued the German U21 international.
Kade would certainly represent a David Odonkor-level surprise at the 2006 World Cup – meaning, nobody would expect it. The 22-year-old, who had a few Bundesliga appearances for his youth club Hertha BSC at 18, has shown glimpses of great potential in his first full season in the German top flight. In recent weeks, Kade has been an important factor in Augsburg’s strong finish, consistently impressing with his speed and demonstrating goal threat. Kade’s goal in the 1-1 draw against Frankfurt at the end of April and his brace in the 3-1 win in Bremen in early May are noteworthy.
In addition to his on-field qualities, Kade, according to Wagner’s praise, is extremely eager to learn, a good team player, mature, and humble. Attributes that suggest he could fulfill the role of a learning challenger, who might get minimal playing time, to Nagelsmann’s complete satisfaction at the World Cup.
On the other hand, Kade’s challenge is that the national coach does not know him personally at all and therefore cannot personally assess how the Augsburg player would fit into his team structure. With Salih Özcan, for example, Nagelsmann has a slightly better understanding.
Maximilian Mittelstädt (VfB Stuttgart) — Surprise Factor: 7 out of 10
Maximilian Mittelstädt’s situation is clear: David Raum is a lock for the World Cup squad, and for the second left-back position, Nagelsmann will choose between Nathaniel Brown and Mittelstädt.
The trend clearly favors Frankfurt’s Brown, who has been chosen ahead of Mittelstädt three times in a row recently and has taken the next step in his development at the club, despite Eintracht’s difficulties this season. Mittelstädt, who was occasionally a starter at left-back, including in the group stage of the 2024 home European Championship, has not been nominated since September. The Stuttgart player last played for the DFB team in the bitter 0-2 defeat in Slovakia at the start of World Cup qualifying, and was one of the better performers in that completely disastrous game. Nevertheless, he has not earned another cap since.
Mittelstädt’s performances for VfB have been consistently good this season as well, as he dreams of Champions League qualification and DFB-Pokal triumph with the Swabians. However, a World Cup nomination would still be quite surprising, given how firmly Nagelsmann seems to have settled on Raum and Brown at left-back.
Ridle Baku (RB Leipzig) — Surprise Factor: 3 out of 10
After a four-year absence, Ridle Baku was nominated for the German national team again in October 2025 for the first time in a long time. Deservedly so, as he had once again become one of the best right-backs in the Bundesliga since his move from VfL Wolfsburg to Leipzig at the start of 2025.
National coach Nagelsmann gave Baku appearances in the autumn, and in November, the Leipzig player even started in the 2-0 win in Luxembourg. He repaid the trust with an assist, and a few days later, he came on as a substitute in the 6-0 victory over Slovakia and scored his second international goal.
Despite this, Nagelsmann did not include Baku in the test matches at the end of March, with Stuttgart’s Josha Vagnoman instead taking on the role of backup for Joshua Kimmich at right-back. «Of course, it was a bit disappointing not to be there for the last internationals. But there’s no point in hanging your head. I just wanted to keep going, work on the things I can still improve, and make it as difficult as possible for the national coach,» Baku said in mid-April according to Bild, expressing his confidence: «If you’re a regular starter here, then there aren’t many others who are in contention for the position.»
Baku is indispensable at Leipzig, contributing to the Saxons’ strong finish to the season with six wins in their last seven league games. Given that Vagnoman has often been on the bench for VfB recently, Baku likely has the edge over his current closest competitor in the race for the Kimmich backup role at right-back. Accordingly, a World Cup nomination for the 28-year-old would not be too much of a surprise. This assumes, of course, that Nagelsmann doesn’t have Matthias Ginter in mind as an alternative at right-back.
Maximilian Eggestein (SC Freiburg) — Surprise Factor: 10 out of 10
For Freiburg coach Julian Schuster, Maximilian Eggestein is the epitome of «indispensable.» The central midfielder has played every minute of all 33 Bundesliga games this season and started in almost all competitions – only in the Europa League round of 16 first leg in Genk, which was lost 1-0, could Schuster not rely on Eggestein due to a red card suspension.
Being such a consistent player is, of course, not yet an argument for being considered for Germany’s World Cup squad. However, Eggestein plays at a consistently high level and contributes so enormously to Freiburg’s outstanding season that Nagelsmann might at least have him in mind.
Especially since the back-end squad places for central midfield are not yet set in stone, and for example, Anton Stach, who was nominated in March, is a candidate who could be replaced by Eggestein. Like Stach, Eggestein would surely accept the role of a challenging bench player, whose primary purpose is to ensure a high level and necessary intensity in training, without any complaints. And just like his club colleague Ginter, Eggestein would fundamentally have deserved a World Cup spot.
However, a World Cup nomination for the former Bremen player would naturally be extremely surprising and come out of nowhere, as Nagelsmann has never nominated him before, and he has not yet played an international match. In March 2019, over seven years ago, Eggestein was called up to the DFB team for the first and, to date, only time by then-national coach Joachim Löw. However, he remained unused in the friendly against Serbia and the European Championship qualifier against the Netherlands.