Julian Nagelsmann has revealed his final World Cup squad decisions regarding VfB Stuttgart players, with three Bundesliga stars confirmed for the 2026 tournament in North America. Deniz Undav, Jamie Leweling, and Angelo Stiller have all received the green light from the German national coach, while two Euro 2022 veterans will miss out on the trip.
Stiller's Redemption Arc Earns World Cup Spot
The inclusion of Angelo Stiller marks a dramatic reversal in Nagelsmann's assessment. During World Cup qualifiers, the midfielder started just once—in Germany's 2-0 loss to Slovakia—and was dropped from the final two matches. In March, Nagelsmann publicly questioned Stiller's readiness, explaining: "I don't currently see Angelo in the starting eleven" and citing concerns about his consistency in specific tactical areas. The midfielder joined the March training camp only as a late injury replacement.
Performances against Switzerland and Ghana transformed the narrative. Stiller's displays in those friendlies earned explicit praise from his national coach, ultimately securing his World Cup selection. This reversal underscores how form and opportunity can shift a player's international prospects in the crucial months before a major tournament.
Euro Stars Exit: Mittelstädt and Führich Excluded
Maximilian Mittelstädt and Chris Führich, both part of Germany's Euro 2024 squad, will not travel to the World Cup. Mittelstädt has lost ground to David Raum at left-back, with Nagelsmann preferring Eintracht Frankfurt's Nathaniel Brown as the primary backup. Despite reclaiming his Stuttgart place this season, Mittelstädt was excluded from the last three national team camps.
Führich's omission proved more controversial. The winger scored four goals and provided four Bundesliga assists since February, and fellow pundit Dietmar Hamann argued he "has to go to the World Cup" given his impressive form. However, Nagelsmann reached a different conclusion, leaving Führich out despite his revival in the German top flight. His last international appearance came in a 1-1 Nations League draw with Hungary in November 2024.
Nübel's Goalkeeper Status Remains Uncertain
One Stuttgart regular still faces potential removal from the squad. Alexander Nübel's World Cup place could be jeopardized by Manuel Neuer's expected return to fitness. Reports suggest tension between the pair from their Bayern Munich days, adding another layer to Nagelsmann's keeper selection dilemma ahead of the tournament.
With five Stuttgart players initially under consideration, Germany's World Cup preparations now take shape around Nagelsmann's clearer vision of his starting XI and squad depth across the pitch.
