“We have excellent conditions here, both on the pitch and off it,” Germany coach Julian Nagelsman told reporters a few hours after the team’s arrival at Wake Forest University campus in Winston-Salem, USA.
“If you feel comfortable and can prepare well, the likelihood of playing good matches increases. And if you deliver good performances, the chances of success rise, too,” added the 38-year-old, who is about to take part in his first World Cup.
The location was selected a something of a retreat, as the distances to be covered in the first World Cup jointly staged by three countries, the USA, Canada and Mexico, make this tournament a Herculean task.
“We have been preparing for nearly two years. Our travel experts have visited the site frequently to ensure that the team’s quarters and all organizational matters cannot serve as excuse for any lack of sporting success,” the German FA’s (DFB) managing director, Andreas Rettig, told DW.
Rumor has it that the team hotel, the Graylyn 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 Qatar in 2022, where Germany failed to reach the knockout phase — the national team is under increased pressure to deliver.
Saturday’s 2–1 victory over the United States in a friendly in Chicago helped create a positive atmosphere among the team and staff.
“It was an important win. Nine consecutive victories are good for confidence,” Nagelsmann said. “Overall, I am very satisfied.”
Neuer’s calf
Still, the head coach knows his team still has room for improvement; the strain of travel, high temperatures, and a different type of pitch than they are used to all provided new challenges.
Not just that, but the first-choice goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, back from international retirement, was forced to sit out due to a lingering calf injury.
However, there is no cause for alarm, assured Sporting Director Rudi Völler.
“We are talking about Manuel Neuer here. He is a world-class goalkeeper who has seen it all in his career and has plenty of experience,” Völler said. “None of us need to worry about Manuel. Especially since we also have Oliver Baumann.”
In what had long seemed like Germany’s worst-kept secret, late last month Nagelsmann brought Neuer back when he named his squad, thereby relegating Oliver Baumann to understudy.
“It was tough at first, of course. It didn’t feel great, to be honest,” Baumann told German broadcaster RTL.
“But it was immediately clear to me that I would be there for the team. I didn’t even consider not coming. I want to help the squad and make my contribution.”
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 — looked largely solid during the match against the Americans.
“The foundation is there, and it’s a good one,” said Baumann, who was between the sticks for the friendly. Nevertheless, there is still room for some fine-tuning.
In defensive midfield, Nagelsmann appears to have settled on Aleksandar Pavlovic and Felix Nmecha.
“Felix (Nmecha) is a top player who has everything it takes to become one of the best in the world in this position one day,” Nagelsmann said.
‘Jamal needs more time’
However, the greatest hopes of German fans rest on the creative heart of the German squad: Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz. Neither of the two attacking players has yet hit top form.
Musiala has not fully regained fitness following the fibula fracture he sustained in the summer of 2025.
“Jamal is finding his rhythm more and more, but he still needs a little 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 do think my role has changed. The team has become a bit younger; a few older players are no longer around,” he said.
“That creates a need for new players willing to lead the way and take responsibility. I believe I’m capable of doing that to help the team achieve the greatest possible success.”
Hoping for a “wonderful summer”
While results have been good in the last year, the pressure is mounting on a side that hasn’t truly impressed at a major tournament since winning the World Cup in 2014 and reaching the semi-finals of the 2016 Euros.
“We believe in taking risks, trying new things, and capitalizing on the opponent’s mistakes. We want to take the initiative and approach the task with the necessary courage and self-confidence,” Nagelsmann said.
The dream of a successful World Cup is very much alive, and if all the players regain their fitness in time, a strong showing by the German team is certainly possible—especially given the promise shown by the younger generation:
“As a young boy, my biggest dream was always to play for the national team and eventually compete in a World Cup,” Wirtz said. “Now I’m just trying to enjoy it and hopefully give people in Germany a wonderful summer, too.”
The “dream” becomes reality on Sunday, when Germany face minnows Curacao in their opening Group E match in Houston.
This article was adapted from the German.
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