Washington [US], May 31: Jamal Musiala returns into the German national team for the first time in more than a year and teenager Lennart Karl is set for his starting XI debut in Sunday's World Cup tune-up match against Finland.
Coach Julian Nagelsmann also said on Saturday that forward Deniz Undav would start in place of Kai Havertz, who is yet to join the squad because he is playing the Champions League final later in the day with Arsenal against Paris Saint-Germain.
Nagelsmann said that the line-up will be a first indication of what the team for Germany's first World Cup match on June 14 against Curaçao would look like.
"We'll be seeing a lot of [players] who could start in the first match, if everything goes to plan," he said.
Nagelsmann added that they "don't have much time in training", so despite competition for places they must also try to "get into their stride quickly.
"We want to play a good match and win tomorrow. It is important to get into a flow," the coach said.
Germany leave for the United States on Tuesday and play a final tune-up match on Saturday against the US team. Their group stage opponents apart from Curaçao are Ivory Coast and Ecuador.
Musiala has not played in the national team since March 2025, missing many months with a severe leg injury and also friendlies two months ago due to a pain reaction in the damaged ankle.
"I am really looking forward to it. It feels that I haven't been part of it for ages," Musiala said on Saturday.
His Bayern Munich team-mate Karl gets a first start after the 18-year-old did well in his first two caps as a substitute in March.
Munich's Aleksandar Pavlovic will meanwhile be paired with Felix Nmecha in defensive midfield, with Borussia Dortmund's Nmecha also making a comeback from injury.
Nagelsmann said a few days ago that Oliver Baumann will be in goal because recalled Manuel Neuer, the designated first choice at the World Cup, is not fully fit yet in connection with a calf muscle problem.
The coach added on Saturday that Neuer's recovery is going according to plan.
"He was already running faster today; he looks good, there are no issues, so he's right on track - everything's going well," Nagelsmann said.
Germany leave for the United States on Tuesday and Nagelsmann said they would then assess whether Neuer can feature in a final tune-up match on Saturday against the US team.
If not, he is definitely expected to be fit for the Curaçao start in a fortnight. Germany's other group stage opponents are Ivory Coast and Ecuador.
Source: Qatar Tribune
