Felix Nmecha and Lennart Karl are set to gain match practice after extended injury layoffs, and Deniz Undav will replace Kai Havertz. Julian Nagelsmann has disclosed several details about his team selection for the penultimate World Cup test match.
According to these revelations, the Dortmund player Nmecha will feature in a double defensive midfield alongside Aleksandar Pavlovic in Sunday’s game against Finland in Mainz. Youngster Karl will make his debut in the starting XI for the German national team.
Stuttgart’s Undav will lead the attack, taking the place of Havertz, who will be participating in the Champions League final with Arsenal against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on Saturday evening.
This decision comes as a surprise, considering that Nick Woltemade was favored over Undav in the previous training camp in late March, with clear discussions about role distribution. This was despite Undav experiencing a difficult period at Newcastle United while Undav was shining for VfB Stuttgart with numerous goals and assists across all competitions.
Despite these circumstances, Undav had expressed his hope of progressing beyond a substitute role at the World Cup. Nagelsmann subsequently addressed Undav verbally, for which the national coach later apologized. Now, it appears Undav has, for the time being, surpassed Woltemade as the primary stand-in for Havertz.
Nagelsmann Opens Competition for the Final World Cup Starting Spots
Nagelsmann, however, will avoid major experiments. «We don’t have much time. We’re trying to get into rhythm quickly. We will see many players who could also start in the first World Cup match,» stated the national coach after the final training session in Herzogenaurach. He also emphasized: «The competition is there.»
For the returning Manuel Neuer, who is recovering from a calf injury, Oliver Baumann, recently downgraded by Nagelsmann to a ‘world-class 1b solution,’ will serve as a placeholder. In front of the Hoffenheim goalkeeper, Nagelsmann has his World Cup back four available: captain Joshua Kimmich on the right, Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck in the center, and David Raum on the left.
In the offensive department, all eyes are on Jamal Musiala. The long-injured Bayern Munich player will be making his first national team appearance since March 2025. The dream duo, affectionately known as ‘Wusiala,’ is completed by Florian Wirtz.
With Serge Gnabry out of the World Cup, the right-wing position needs to be filled anew – and young star Karl will get his chance from the start. «He can show what he can do,» said Nagelsmann.