Lennart Karl Could Earn Germany World Cup Place, Says Jonathan Tah

Germany head towards the 2026 World Cup with expectations reset after two group-stage exits and an expanded format. Jonathan Tah insists the team should aim high, while Bayern Munich midfielder Lennart Karl is pushing for a first call-up after a standout breakthrough season at club level.

Germany open their World Cup campaign against debutants Curacao, then meet Ivory Coast before facing Ecuador. The four-time champions failed to progress from the groups in 2018 and 2022. With more teams advancing in 2026, senior figures inside the squad regard reaching the knockout rounds as the minimum target.

"For me, it makes absolutely no sense to participate in a tournament and say only 'we want to reach the quarter-finals," Tah said. "And I also believe

we have the quality to do so in the team. We're looking forward to our group opponents. We're confident enough to say that we can achieve something at the World Cup. "

"When you read the names of the opponents, advancing from the group is a must," Muller, who played at four World Cups, told MagentaTV. "With Ivory Coast, we have the African champions, and with Ecuador, the runner-up in the South American qualifiers.I don't know much about Curacao. But when you look at the overall situation, where the eight best third-placed teams out of twelve groups also advance, then advancing to the knockouts is once again a must. "

Germany’s Group Stage and warm-up schedule is already taking shape, with competitive and friendly fixtures arranged ahead of the tournament.

Competition	Opponent
World Cup group	Curacao
World Cup group	Ivory Coast
World Cup group	Ecuador
Friendly (March)	Ghana
Friendly (May)	Finland

Karl strengthens his Germany World Cup squad case through consistent performances for Bayern Munich this season. The midfielder has six goals from 17 combined Bundesliga and Champions League matches. Earlier this month, Karl became the youngest Champions League player to score in three consecutive appearances, at 17 years and 290 days.

Despite that form, Julian Nagelsmann has kept Karl with Germany’s Under-21 side rather than the seniors. Tah, Karl’s Bayern teammate, believes the teenager already looks ready. "If he continues this way, I don't know what's stopping him from helping our [national] team," Tah told Abendzeitung. "If he can do it at Bayern Munich, in the Champions League, then he has everything it takes to show it for the national team. Of course, it's the coach's decision. But I simply think he's doing a really great job right now. "

Germany on top!! Secured our spot in the 2026 World Cup in style! Philipp Reinhard/DFB#DFB #GermanFootball #GermanMNT pic.twitter.com/g6NZ8A9j6EGerman Football (@DFB_Team_EN) November 17, 2025

Germany have already scheduled friendlies against Ghana in March and Finland in May as preparation for the World Cup campaign. With qualification secured, attention now turns to final squad choices, tactical refinement and avoiding another early exit, while talents such as Karl push strongly for inclusion alongside the established core.