Germany name likely XI for Curaçao World Cup opener

Germany will open their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Curaçao at Houston Stadium, USA on Sunday evening. Coach Julian Nagelsmann has confirmed goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will start ahead of Oliver Baumann. In the back four, Nathaniel Brown is expected to partner Nico Schlotterbeck, Jonathan Tah and Joshua Kimmich, with David Raum as the alternative left‑back. The double pivot will likely feature Aleksandar Pavlović and Felix Nmecha, while Nadiem Amiri, Leon Goretzka and Angelo Stiller compete for midfield spots. Defender Lennar Karl is out injured, opening a starting berth for Leroy Sané alongside Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz; Kai Havertz will lead the attack with Deniz Undav and Nick Woltemade on the bench. The predicted Germany XI reads: Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Brown; Nmecha, Pavlović; Sané, Musiala, Wirtz; Havertz. The information comes from GGFN and Daniel Pinder.