“We have excellent conditions on and off the pitch,” Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann told reporters hours after the team arrived at the Wake Forest University campus in Winston-Salem, US.
“If you feel comfortable and can prepare well, your chances of playing good matches increase. And if you perform well, your chances of success also increase,” said the 38-year-old, who is going to play his first World Cup.
The venue was chosen a bit backwards, as the distance to be covered in the first World Cup jointly hosted by three countries, the United States, Canada and Mexico, makes this tournament a difficult task.
“We have been preparing for almost two years. Our travel experts have visited the site repeatedly to make sure that the team quarters and all organizational matters cannot become an excuse for any lack of success in the game,” Andreas Rettig, managing director of the German FA (DFB), told DW.
Rumor has it that the team hotel, the Graylin Estate, is haunted by Nathalie Gray, the wife of the man who built the castle-like structure in the 1920s.
After two disastrous World Cup campaigns, in Russia in 2018 and in Qatar in 2022, where Germany failed to reach the knockout stage – the pressure on the national team to perform well has increased.
A 2-1 win over the United States in a friendly in Chicago on Saturday helped create a positive atmosphere among the team and staff.
Nagelsmann said, “It was an important win. Nine wins in a row is good for confidence.” “Overall, I am very satisfied.”
neuer’s calf
Nevertheless, the head coach knows his team still has room for improvement; The stress of travel, high temperatures and a different type of pitch than everyone is used to, provided new challenges.
Not only that, but first-choice goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, who had come back from international retirement, was forced to sit out with a calf injury.
However, there is no cause for concern, assured sporting director Rudi Völler.
“We’re talking about Manuel Neuer here. He’s a world-class goalkeeper who has seen it all in his career and has a lot of experience,” Voller said. “None of us have to worry about Manuel. Especially since we also have Oliver Baumann.”
In what had long seemed like Germany’s worst-kept secret, Nagelsmann brought Neuer back in late last month when he named his squad, leaving Oliver Baumann inexplicable.
“Of course, it was difficult in the beginning. To be honest, it didn’t feel very good,” Baumann told German broadcaster RTL.
“But it was immediately clear to me that I would be there for the team. I didn’t even think about not coming. I want to help the team and contribute.”
New look in defensive midfield
Overall, Germany seems to be on the right track. The defense – led by Jonathan Tah and long considered the team’s weak spot – was largely solid during the match against the Americans.
“The foundation is there, and it’s a good foundation,” said Bauman, who was in the midst of the friendship. Still, there’s still room for some fine tuning.
In defensive midfield, Nagelsmann appears to have settled on Alexander Pavlovic and Felix Nmecha.
“Felix (Nmecha) is a top player who has everything to one day become one of the best players in the world in this position,” Nagelsmann said.
‘Jamal needs more time’
However, the German fans’ greatest hopes rest on the creative heart of the German team: Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz. Neither of the two attacking players are in top form yet.
Musiala has never regained full fitness after suffering a fibula fracture in the summer of 2025.
“Jamal is finding his rhythm, but he still needs some time,” Nagelsmann said. “He has another week, and then he’ll be at 100%. I’m not too worried about it.”
Wirtz, coming off a mixed season at Liverpool, aims to step up as a leader during his first World Cup.
“I think my role has changed. The team has become a bit younger; some of the old players are no longer there,” he said.
“This creates a need for new players willing to lead and take responsibility. I believe I will be able to help the team achieve as much success as possible.”
Expecting a “wonderful summer”
While results last year have been good, the pressure is mounting on a team that hasn’t really impressed at any major tournament since winning the World Cup in 2014 and reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2016.
Nagelsmann said, “We believe in taking risks, trying new things and taking advantage of the opponent’s mistakes. We want to take the initiative and approach the task with the necessary courage and confidence.”
The dream of a successful World Cup is very much alive, and if all players regain their fitness in time, a strong performance by the German team is certainly possible – especially given the promise shown by the younger generation:
Wirtz said, “As a young boy, my biggest dream was always to play for the national team and eventually compete in the World Cup.” “Now I’m just trying to enjoy it and hopefully give the people in Germany a great summer too.”
That “dream” becomes reality on Sunday when Germany faces Curacao in its opening Group E match in Houston.
This article is taken from German.