Germany face Paraguay in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup on Monday, with Kai Havertz leading the attack and Jamal Musiala dropped from the starting lineup. The match takes place at Boston Stadium, with kick-off at 9.30pm BST.
Team news and lineup changes
Head coach Julian Nagelsmann made two changes from the side that lost 2-1 to Ecuador in the final group game. Deniz Undav replaces Jamal Musiala, while Nathaniel Brown returns at left-back after recovering from a minor injury. Joshua Kimmich captains the side, and Manuel Neuer makes his fourth consecutive start since coming out of international retirement.
Germany XI: Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger, Brown; Nmecha, Pavlovic; Sane, Undav, Wirtz; Havertz. Substitutes: Baumann, Nubel, Anton, Raum, Thiaw, Goretzka, Leweling, Musiala, Gross, Stiller, Amiri, Ouedraogo, Woltemade, Beier. Injured: Schlotterbeck.
Havertz leads the line
Kai Havertz, the Arsenal forward, starts as the central striker with support from Leroy Sane and Florian Wirtz. Undav, who scored a brace including a 94th-minute winner against Ivory Coast and also contributed a goal and two assists against Curacao as a substitute, earns a starting berth.
Germany's World Cup journey
Germany, seeking their first knockout win in 12 years after failing to advance from the group stage in 2018 and 2022, topped Group E with wins over Curacao (7-1) and Ivory Coast (2-1), despite a 2-1 loss to Ecuador. A victory over Paraguay would likely set up a last-16 clash with 2018 champions France on July 4 in Philadelphia.
