Germany will face Luxembourg in a crucial World Cup 2026 qualifying match on Friday. The encounter comes as Germany aims to recover from a shaky start to their campaign, where they currently sit in third place in Group A. Their initial match resulted in a surprise 2-0 defeat against Slovakia, which marked a rare loss in World Cup qualifying history.
Match Preview: Germany vs. Luxembourg
Following their defeat, Germany managed to secure a 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland in their second qualifying match. Despite the win, the performance raised questions about their readiness, and they must perform better to avoid playoff matches. With only the group winner automatically qualifying for the finals, Germany is under pressure to improve their standings.
Form and Historical Context
- Germany’s World Cup Qualifying form: L W
- Overall form across competitions: W D L L L W
- Luxembourg’s World Cup Qualifying form: L L
- Overall form across competitions: W L L D L L
Germany has dominated previous meetings with Luxembourg, winning all three competitive matches. They have scored a total of 16 goals against Luxembourg, underlining their status as heavy favorites for this encounter. The last competitive match was in the 1980s, and Luxembourg’s only notable victory against Germany came in 1939.
Current Team News
Germany faces some challenges with player availability. Goalkeeper Oliver Baumann is doubtful due to illness, prompting the potential inclusion of either Alexander Nubel or Noah Atubolu as substitutes. Additionally, key players such as Antonio Rudiger, Kai Havertz, and Jamal Musiala are sidelined due to injuries.
Luxembourg’s lineup might see three players from the German leagues. Danel Sinani from St Pauli, Aiman Dardari from Augsburg, and Mathias Olesen from Greuther Furth will likely play prominent roles. However, they will miss out on some players like Enzo Duarte and veteran defender Mica Pinto.
Predictions and Expectations
Germany intends to secure a decisive win against Luxembourg, aiming for a strong 4-0 scoreline. Historically, Luxembourg has struggled against teams with quick attackers, and this match represents an opportunity for Germany to recover and showcase their capabilities in front of home fans.
| Germany Possible Starting Lineup | Luxembourg Possible Starting Lineup |
|---|---|
| Nubel; Anton, Tah, Koch; Schade, Kimmich, Goretzka, Raum; Gnabry, Wirtz; Woltemade | Moris; Jans, Mahmutovic, Korac, Carlson; Olesen, Barreiro; Moreira, Sinani, Bohnert; Dardari |
Germany will look to capitalize on their experience and previous records against Luxembourg while aiming to improve their position in the qualifying group. The match is expected to draw significant attention as both teams strive for valuable points in their World Cup journey.
