Overview
- Germany must beat Luxembourg away on Friday and Slovakia in Leipzig on Monday to clinch first place and avoid the play-offs, a goal DFB president Bernd Neuendorf says he expects.
- Leroy Sané returns with a clear warning from Julian Nagelsmann that he has limited chances to convince, with the coach noting underwhelming club form and a thin pool of natural wingers.
- Nadiem Amiri withdrew with adductor issues, and 19-year-old Assan Ouédraogo was called up as a like-for-like replacement to be assessed alongside fellow teenager Said El Mala.
- Nagelsmann says El Mala, Lennart Karl and Nicolò Tresoldi remain in contention for 2026 but cautions against early hype, stressing that profiles for the wide positions are scarce and Karl should first stamp his mark with the U21s.
- Nico Schlotterbeck’s swollen foot wound leaves his availability uncertain, while other choices reflect balance and competition in midfield, including Angelo Stiller’s omission after a clarifying phone call and Robin Koch being left to rest.