Teenager Said El Mala got a first call-up and Leroy Sané returned as Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann announced a 25-player squad on Thursday for their final World Cup qualifiers in Luxembourg and against Slovakia.
While under-21 international El Mala was picked after scoring four goals and adding two assists for Cologne this season, there was no place for 17-year-old Lennart Karl who has also impressed for Bayern Munich.
Sané is back in the squad after not being selected in September and October following his summer transfer from Bayern to Turkey’s Galatasaray.
“Said El Mala is to show us his carefree and light-hearted side,” Nagelsmann said in a statement issued by the German FA.
“We are keeping an eye on the talented players from our U21 team and, in consultation with (coach) Toni Di Salvo, want to give them the opportunity to showcase their skills with the senior national team from time to time.”
El Mala was over the moon, saying: “I am very, very happy to have been nominated for the senior national team. It’s a great reward for all the hard work. I am proud to represent Cologne in the national team shirt.”
Looking at 70-times capped Sané, Nagelsmann added: “I have had a very good dialogue with Leroy throughout. He has earned his nomination with good performances in the Champions League and the Süper Lig.”
Also returning after two years is Newcastle United defender Malick Thiaw, while midfielders Robert Andrich of Bayer leverkusen and Angelo Stiller of VfB Stuttgart, Borussia Dortmund forward Maximilian Beier and Eintracht Frankfurt defender Robin Koch missed out.
Still absent due to long term injuries are first choice goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, Bayern Munich playmaker Jamal Musiala, Arsenal forward Kai Havertz and Real Madrid centre back Antonio Rüdiger.
Germany play in Luxembourg on November 14 and against Slovakia three days later in Leipzig.
They top Group A on goal difference over Slovakia and will definitely win the group to qualify directly for the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada if they win both matches.
Two victories should also see them clinch a place in pot one for the December 5 World Cup draw in Washington as one of the nine best teams in the FIFA rankings alongside the three host nations.
“We want to clinch World Cup qualification with two victories – and on top of that pot one for the World Cup group draw in four weeks’ time,” Nagelsmann said.
“Then we can push ahead with our plans for 2026 and make them more concrete.”
Germany squad:
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Finn Dahmen (Augsburg), Alexander Nübel (VfB Stuttgart), Noah Atubolu (Freiburg)
Defenders: Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Ridle Baku (RB Leipzig), Nathaniel Brown (Eintracht Frankfurt), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle United)
Midfielders: Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Nadiem Amiri (Mainz), Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Jamie Leweling (VfB Stuttgart), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool), Said El Mala (Cologne)
Forwards: Jonathan Burkardt (Eintracht Frankfurt), Nick Woltemade (Newcastle United), Kevin Schade (Brentford), Leroy Sané (Galatasaray)
