WCQ squads - German debutants and France’s sweet dilemmas

Germany started the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on the wrong foot with a defeat to Slovakia and will now have to make up for the lost points in the October and November fixtures. The Mannschaft first face Luxembourg at Hoffenheim’s stadium on October 10, followed three days later by a trip to Northern Ireland in Belfast – matches in which a full points haul is expected.

Germany makes history but in a bad way

Head coach Julian Nagelsmann announced today the squad he will count on for the October tests. It doesn’t differ much from September’s, but there are some changes. With Manuel Neuer retired and Marc-Andre ter Stegen injured, Germany no longer have top quality in goal, so Nagelsmann again called up the keepers from Hoffenheim, Augsburg, and Stuttgart, just as he did in September against Slovakia and Northern Ireland. There are no better options.

The defensive line has undergone changes. Antonio Rudiger is sidelined with injury, while Borussia Dortmund’s centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck has returned to the national team after six months. Jonathan Tah, Robin Koch, and Waldemar Anton are still there, while adjustments came at full-back as well.

After four years, Leipzig’s right-back Ridle Baku has been recalled, while left-back David Raum keeps his place. He will be challenged by Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nathaniel Brown, who has received his first-ever call-up to the national team, replacing Maximilian Mittelstadt, who was left out this time, as well as Eintracht’s right-back Nnamdi Collins.

The midfield remains mostly unchanged, with Bayern’s core trio of Kimmich, Goretzka, and Pavlovic. Borussia’s Pascal Gross is absent, but his teammate Felix Nmecha has returned. Regulars Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart) and Robert Andrich (Leverkusen, who can also play as a centre-back) are included.

Further forward, Jamie Leweling, Serge Gnabry, Florian Wirtz, and Karim Adeyemi will compete for spots. Even after a year, Leroy Sane, Julian Brandt, and Kai Havertz have not been called up, while Jamal Musiala remains absent due to a long-term injury.

Up front, Niclas Fullkrug did not receive a call despite being in the last squad, but Eintracht’s Jonathan Burkardt has returned and will hope for minutes alongside Nick Woltemade, who is in excellent form, and Borussia’s Maximilian Beier.

Newcastle might be ‘idiots’ but Woltemade keeps on scoring

On the other side, it may not always be reflected in recent trophies, but France truly have a team that is a favorite wherever they go. Spain, England, Portugal, and Argentina also boast great depth, but Didier Deschamps’ arsenal is simply frightening!

The French head coach today named his squad for the qualifying matches against Azerbaijan at home on October 10 and Iceland away three days later. To say the opponents should be worried is an understatement… Deschamps can count on at least two world-class goalkeepers, centre-backs from Liverpool, Arsenal, and Bayern, slightly less depth at full-back, but a midfield and attack overflowing with talent.

And that’s without several injured stars who would likely have been included. Due to injuries, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue (PSG), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), and Marcus Thuram (Inter) are absent. Tottenham’s Randal Kolo Muani is also missing through injury, while Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended. Imagine the team with all of them available!

William Saliba has returned after missing the last camp with an injury, pushing out Benjamin Pavard, who is playing well for Marseille.

The biggest surprise on Deschamps’ list is a debut call-up for Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.

“His profile – that’s what we need. He knows how to score goals. He’s not young, but he earned his first call-up. He also proved himself at the Olympics and has been on the extended list for some time, along with 50 other players,” explained Deschamps about the 29-year-old forward.

And let’s not forget some other names at top clubs who still didn’t make the cut: Leny Yoro (Manchester United), Castello Lukeba (Leipzig), Boubacar Kamara (Aston Villa), Youssouf Fofana (Milan), Pierre Kalulu (Juventus), Jean-Clair Todibo (West Ham), Loic Bade (Leverkusen)…