Pressure will boost Germany in ‘knockout’ Slovakia clash, says Nagelsmann

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said the pressure of Monday’s “knockout” 2026 World Cup qualifier with Slovakia will be the boost his side need after a stuttering campaign.

Germany, level on points with Slovakia but ahead on goal difference, need a win or a draw to top Group A and qualify directly for next year’s tournament in North America. 

The runners-up in the group must go through an additional playoff round in March.

Victory on Monday in Leipzig would also guarantee Germany become one of the seeded teams in December’s World Cup draw in Washington. 

Nagelsmann has backed his side to perform with the pressure now mounting.

“You’re bound to be a bit nervous in the morning. That’s part of it, but also what makes it exciting,” Nagelsmann said.

“If we were already through, we’d be totally relaxed. But there’s something appealing about the fact we aren’t.”

The four-time World Cup winners were the clear favourites in the group to qualify directly but fell to a 2-0 loss away to Slovakia in September, just their third-ever defeat in World Cup qualifying. 

Since then, injury-hit Germany have won four from four but have rarely convinced. 

“We’d have preferred to win in Slovakia, but we didn’t. This is the situation we’re in now. We can accept it,” Nagelsmann said.

“And that’s where the excitement lies in a knockout game like this, especially in the early stages. 

“We expect to play a good game tomorrow and to pick up all three points.”

For much of the qualifying campaign, Nagelsmann has been without several starters including Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Antonio Rudiger, Niclas Fuellkrug and Tim Kleindienst. 

However, the Germans look likely to welcome back captain Joshua Kimmich and defender Nico Schlotterbeck from injury, with a decision to be made on Monday.

“We’ve got a good doctor and some good physios. They’re skilled at taping (players) up tightly,” Nagelsmann said.