Germany have opted to field a strong starting lineup for their final World Cup group game against Ecuador on Thursday, despite already securing a place in the knockout stage as Group E winners. The 2014 champions edged past Ivory Coast in their previous match, confirming top spot with a game to spare.
No Mass Rotation Despite Qualification
Julian Nagelsmann, the Germany head coach, had the luxury of being able to make wholesale changes to keep his best players fresh for the last-32 showdown next Monday. However, he has largely kept faith with the same side that beat Curacao and Ivory Coast, including key players like Kai Havertz, Florian Wirtz and Manuel Neuer.
This is the first time Germany have advanced from a World Cup group since winning the tournament in 2014, making the achievement particularly significant after early exits in 2018 and 2022.
Two Forced Changes Due to Injuries
Nagelsmann has been forced into two alterations. Nico Schlotterbeck is ruled out for the remainder of the tournament with an ankle injury, while Nathaniel Brown is also sidelined with a knock. Antonio Rudiger, who replaced Schlotterbeck against Ivory Coast, starts against Ecuador, and David Raum takes over from Brown.
The midfield double pivot of Aleksandar Pavlovic and Felix Nmecha remains unchanged, with Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala and Wirtz forming the attacking midfield trio behind lone striker Havertz.
Confirmed Germany XI and Substitutes
Germany XI: Neuer; Kimmich, Rudiger, Tah, Raum; Pavlovic, Nmecha; Sane, Musiala, Wirtz; Havertz
Substitutes: Baumann, Nubel, Anton, Thiaw, Goretzka, Leweling, Gross, Stiller, Amiri, Ouedraogo, Woltemade, Beier, Undav
Injured: Schlotterbeck, Brown
Match Details
The match kicks off at 9pm BST on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at the New York New Jersey Stadium, and will be broadcast live on BBC.
