Rudiger has been called up for the first time since his outburst in the Spanish Cup final in May, when he threw an object at the referee while verbally abusing him. | Photo Credit: REUTERS
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has announced his squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with Antonio Rudiger making a comeback to strengthen the defense.
The Real Madrid defender, who was sidelined after a controversial incident in the Copa del Rey final earlier this year, has been recalled. Rudiger had faced criticism for his behavior in that match but later issued a public apology.
Nagelsmann, however, has chosen to leave out Leroy Sane, who recently moved from Bayern Munich to Galatasaray. Despite making 70 appearances for Germany since his debut in 2015, Sane did not make the cut this time.
The coach is also battling an injury crisis, with several big names unavailable. Among those missing are Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz, Tim Kleindienst, Marc-André ter Stegen, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Benjamin Henrichs.
To fill the gaps, Nagelsmann has called up some fresh faces:
Stuttgart duo Angelo Stiller and Jamie Leweling, along with Mainz’s Nadiem Amiri, also make a return to the national side.
Germany will first face Slovakia in Bratislava on September 4, followed by a home clash against Northern Ireland on September 7 in Cologne.
Placed in Group A alongside Slovakia, Northern Ireland, and Luxembourg, Germany must finish top to secure direct qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
Goalkeepers:
Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Finn Dahmen (Augsburg), Alexander Nubel (Stuttgart)
Defenders:
Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen), Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Nnamdi Collins (Eintracht Frankfurt), Robin Koch (Eintracht Frankfurt), Maximilian Mittelstadt (Stuttgart), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders:
Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund), Nadiem Amiri (Mainz), Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Pascal Gross (Borussia Dortmund), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart), Paul Nebel (Mainz), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool)
Forwards:
Niclas Fullkrug (West Ham), Nick Woltemade (Stuttgart)
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