While the team’s core philosophy remains the same, there will be changes in the starting lineup,” said Julian Nagelsmann.
Following an unexpected defeat to Slovakia at the start of World Cup qualifying, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann is adjusting his plans. He has announced major changes to the lineup for the upcoming match against Northern Ireland.
In their opening match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers last Thursday, the four-time champions suffered a 2-0 defeat in Slovakia.
This marked Germany’s first loss on the road in World Cup qualifying. Additionally, for the first time in their 117-year history, they experienced three consecutive competitive match losses. Nagelsmann’s team had also lost to Portugal and France in the Nations League last June.
Looking to bounce back, Germany will host Northern Ireland on Sunday, who themselves lost 3-1 to Luxembourg in their opener.
Speaking at a press conference a day before the match, Nagelsmann said, “While the team’s core philosophy remains, there will be changes to the starting eleven.
“A few discussions have taken place with certain players and the team overall. The players themselves have also brought solutions internally. We are considering what to expect and how to plan for tomorrow (Sunday). There won’t be a complete overhaul, but there will be some individual changes. We need to deliver a better performance.”
“As a coach, you need to provide players with something that allows them to play more freely. On Sunday, we need players who can adapt to the situation. We can’t focus on qualifying for the World Cup just yet; we need to focus on our performance. Some players may be included who might not even make it to the World Cup.”
