March 31, 2026
With the World Cup squad deadline under two months away, Germany used March friendlies against Switzerland and Ghana as a final audition. Some players grabbed the moments they needed; others left lingering questions for Julian Nagelsmann and his staff.
Winners
Kai Havertz — Now close to 60 caps, Havertz looked like a senior presence the moment he returned from a long injury layoff. He combined confidently in the build-up against Switzerland and kept his composure to convert a penalty against Ghana. Those displays should buy him time to fully regain match sharpness and keep him in contention for a starting role.
Florian Wirtz — The 22-year-old was the standout creative force, especially in Basel where he produced two goals and two assists. With Jamal Musiala absent, Wirtz showed he can carry Germany’s midfield creativity on his own, and his daring choices on the ball set the tone again in Stuttgart.
Lennart Karl — The 18-year-old Bayern playmaker made a strong case off the bench in Basel and started brightly against Ghana. He won possession, drove at defenders and regularly took opponents on. He missed a scoring chance but otherwise offered clear reasons to be included in the final squad.
Nathaniel Brown — The 22-year-old Eintracht left-back played 60 minutes against Ghana and looked solid defensively while comfortable on the ball. With questions persisting over David Raum’s form, Brown’s showing suggests he is likely to make the squad and could push for more minutes in Qatar.
Losers
Angelo Stiller — Brought in partly because of injuries elsewhere, Stiller started both friendlies but failed to seize the opportunity. He appeared hesitant on the ball and was slow to react to Switzerland’s opener in Basel. Pascal Groß’s tidy performance in Stuttgart only further dented Stiller’s hopes, making a World Cup place feel premature.
Nico Schlotterbeck — Schlotterbeck began both matches alongside Jonathan Tah but had an uneven couple of outings. Sloppy moments in buildup against Switzerland proved costly, and although he was steadier in Stuttgart he still looked off-kilter at times. He will probably travel with the squad, but these performances have raised questions about recent defensive selections, and the fact Antonio Rüdiger has spent time on the bench will be scrutinised.
Nick Woltemade — Given a chance to rebuild confidence, the Newcastle striker failed to make an impact. He offered little in 20 minutes against Switzerland and, in Stuttgart, missed a clear chance and later struck the bar despite nearly 80 minutes on the field. He is likely to be included in May’s list, but must find form quickly.
Edited by: Matt Pearson