Kimmich a doubt for crunch Slovakia clash

Fully focused

Both teams are being put through their paces as the first whistle draws closer.

© IMAGO/Michael Taeger

The preparations begin

The sides are out and beginning to warm up as kick-off approaches.

© IMAGO/Maximilian Koch

One more win?

Germany have won eight of their 12 total meetings with Slovakia, meaning they can go into tonight’s fixture with a level of confidence despite their loss in Bratislava. Another win today would confirm their place at the World Cup finals next summer, an outcome that Slovakia are looking to secure for themselves.

More on those teams

Both sides make two changes each from their recent wins. For Germany, Kimmich comes in at right-back for Baku, while Schlotterbeck replaces teammate Anton at the heart of defence. For Slovakia, Haraslín and Rigo drop to the bench as Sauer and Duda come back into the side.

© IMAGO/Picture Point / Roger Petzsche

Germany starting line-up

Baumann – Kimmich (c), Tah, Schlotterbeck, Raum – Goretzka, Pavlovic – Sané, Gnabry, Wirtz – Woltemade

Germany subs

Nübel, Dahmen, Anton, Thiaw, Leweling, Ouédraogo, Burkardt, Nmecha, Adeyemi, Schade, Brown, Baku

Slovakia starting line-up

Dúbravka – Gyömbér, Škriniar (c), Obert, Hancko – Bero, Lobotka, Duda – Sauer, Strelec, Ďuriš

Slovakia subs

Rodák, Takáč, Pekarík, Vavro, Šatka, Boženík, Bénes, Bobček, Hrošovský, Haraslín, Schranz, Rigo

Focused on the task ahead

Germany players looked relaxed during their final training session before the game against Slovakia, where they can clinch World Cup qualification. Nagelsmann said: “You’re always nervous before a game like this, that’s part of the appeal. The situation is what it is, but we can approach it in a positive way.”

© IMAGO/pepphoto / Horst Mauelshagen

Injury issues easing

Nico Schlotterbeck trained with the squad on Sunday after missing the Luxembourg match due to injury, and is set to play, while a decision is due to be made on Joshua Kimmich’s availability on Monday. Nagelsmann said: “Everyone who knows Jo knows he always wants to play. It doesn’t matter if he doesn’t train before the match.”

© IMAGO/pepphoto / Horst Mauelshagen

Valuable experience

Teenage sensation Assan Ouédraogo was called up to the squad to replace the injured Nadiem Amiri. The Leipzig midfielder was an unused substitute against Luxembourg, but being around the senior squad for a World Cup qualifier will certainly be valuable experience for the 19-year-old.

© RONNY HARTMANN

Full stadium

The DFB (German FA) confirm that tickets for Germany vs Slovakia have sold out. We can expect 40,000 fans at the Red Bull Arena.

© IMAGO/motivio

So long, Said

Germany confirmed on Saturday that Said El Mala will not be in the squad for the Slovakia match, with the teenager instead linking up with the U21 squad for a qualifier against Georgia on Tuesday. Julian Nagelsmann said the Cologne sensation had left a “good impression” in training with the full Germany squad.

© IMAGO/Michael Taeger

Leroy Sané on his return

“I’m very happy to be back with the team and to be playing. It’s always a fun time and it’s an honour to represent your country. We have a lot that we want to achieve. I’m happy to have gotten an assist and that I’ve been able to somewhat pay back the trust the coach has shown in me.”

© IMAGO/Marc Schueler

Jonathan Tah on captaining Germany

“Wearing the captain’s armband means a lot to me. I’m proud that I was able to experience this.”

© IMAGO/Malte Ossowski / SVEN SIMON

In-form Nick Woltemade

The former Stuttgart forward has been the difference-maker for Germany, scoring his nation’s last three goals. He opened his international account against Northern Ireland in October, before scoring a second-half brace against Luxembourg.

© Alexander Hassenstein

Injury worries for Germany

Both captain Joshua Kimmich and Nico Schlotterbeck picked up injuries ahead of their recent win against Luxembourg, meaning they were unable to take part. It remains to be seen whether or not they’ll be available for the Slovakia tie.

© IMAGO/BEAUTIFUL SPORTS/Wunderl

Inside view

Wolfsburg’s Denis Vavro and Bochum’s Matus Bero were both part of the Slovakia squad that beat Northern Ireland on Friday, as was veteran defender Peter Pekarik (39, pictured), who is still playing for Hertha Berlin’s reserve side in Germany’s fourth tier, and has 243 Bundesliga appearances to his name.

© IMAGO/MICHAL FAJT,ZOSPORTU.SK

Last time they met

Slovakia beat Germany 2-0 in what was a dominant performance in front of a home crowd in Bratislava. David Hancko and David Strelec got the goals for the hosts, who terrorised Germany’s backline that night, with Leo Sauer being particularly impressive for them. Germany will be simultaneously be looking for revenge and their World Cup ticket on Monday night, setting up an exciting clash.

© IMAGO/Marc Schueler

As things stand

Both sides currently having 12 points but Germany sit at the top of the table due to having better goal difference. Germany need either a win or draw to seal automatic qualification for the World Cup, but Slovakia will be determined to try and win the group themselves.

Slovakia edge Northern Ireland

The visitors also come into his game on the back on a win, having beaten Northern Ireland 1-0 thanks to a Tomas Bobcek goal in the dying minutes of the game. That was their second consecutive win having also beaten Luxembourg 2-0 last time out, putting them level on points with Germany at the top of Group A.

© IMAGO/©INPHO/Presseye/Jonathan Porter

Germany sneak past Luxembourg

Germany made it four wins on the bounce with their recent 2-0 victory over Luxembourg, although Julian Nagelsmann will still hope for an improved performance against Slovakia. Despite the win, which came as a result of a Nick Woltemade brace, Luxembourg were the better side for large spells and were unlucky to not get on the scoresheet.

© IMAGO/kolbert-press/Martin Agüera

Welcome!

A very warm welcome to bundesliga.com’s live coverage of Germany’s FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier against Slovakia on Monday night (kick-off: 8.45pm CET).

After their shock 1-0 loss in the reverse fixture, Germany have reeled off four straight wins to put their destiny back in their own hands.

Victory in Luxembourg on Friday ensured the four-time world champions go into the final round of group fixtures top of the section, ahead of Slovakia on goal difference. As long as they don’t lose at the Red Bull Arena, Julian Nagelsmann’s team will secure a spot at the 48-team 2026 finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States, thereby avoiding the European play-offs.

If Germany win, they’ll also preserve a place in the top 10 of the FIFA rankings, guaranteeing top seeding for the World Cup draw in Washington D.C. on 5 December.

Former VfB Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade scored both goals in Luxembourg. – JOHN THYS

To that end, Nagelsmann names the strongest side at his disposal, with captain Joshua Kimmich and defender Nico Schlotterbeck returning at the expense of Ridle Baku and Waldemar Anton.

Watch: Germany arrive for international duty

Former Schalke and Bayern winger Leroy Sané also impressed on his return to the national team, setting up the first of two Nick Woltemade goals, and retains his place in attack.

Watch: El Mala, Ouédraogo & the teens taking their chance in the Bundesliga

Slovakia maintained the pressure on Germany with victory over Northern Ireland in their penultimate group fixture. Debutant substitute Tomáš Bobček scored an injury-time winner to keep his country level on points with the Group A leaders going into the section’s last game.

Although fit again and in the squad, Wolfsburg defender Denis Vavro didn’t feature in Košice due to an adductor injury that’s forced him to miss all 10 of his club’s Bundesliga assignments so far this season. Given the stakes, head coach Francesco Calzona is doesn’t risk the 29-year-old from the start in Leipzig.

Bochum midfielder Matúš Bero did play the full 90 minutes, though, and continues in the side. Veteran defender Peter Pekarík (Hertha Berlin reserves) and playmaker László Bénes (formerly of Borussia Mönchengladbach, Holstein Kiel, Augsburg, Hamburg and Union Berlin) – both with ample experience of Germany’s top two divisions – are among the substitutes.

Match stats

• Germany’s 1-0 loss in Slovakia on Matchday 1 was their first-ever defeat away from home in World Cup qualifying.
• Germany have qualified for every World tournament they have entered (20 in total).
• Woltemade (Newcastle United) has three goals and one assist in seven appearances for Germany.
• If fit, Kimmich will win his 106th Germany cap – more than any player in the current squad.
• Current Germany No.1 Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim) is in this Bundesliga season’s top five for most saves (35).
• Nagelmann is averaging 1.93 points per game, measured over 28 matches as Germany head coach.

CONFIRMED teams

Germany: Baumann – Kimmich (c), Tah, Schlotterbeck, Raum – Goretzka, Pavlović – Gnabry, Wirtz, Sané – Woltemade
Subs: Nübel, Dahmen, Anton, Thiaw, Leweling, Ouédraogo, Burkardt, Nmecha, Adeyemi, Schade, Brown, Baku
Out: Amiri (adductors), El Mala (U21s), Füllkrug (calf), Havertz (knee), Musiala (ankle), Rüdiger (hamstring)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann

Slovakia: Dúbravka – Gyömbér, Škriniar (c), Obert, Hancko – Bero, Lobotka, Duda – Sauer, Strelec, Ďuriš
Subs: Rodák, Takáč, Pekarík, Vavro, Šatka, Boženík, Bénes, Bobček, Hrošovský, Haraslín, Schranz, Rigo 
Out: Kaprálik, M. Sauer
Coach: Francesco Calzona