Julian Nagelsmann has rolled the dice on his starting XI for Germany’s World Cup opener against Curaçao, and the lineup carries a few surprises that could define how far this team goes in the tournament. The game kicks off Sunday at 2 p.m. local time, with Group E also featuring Ivory Coast and Ecuador.
The biggest talking point is the return of Manuel Neuer in goal. The legendary goalkeeper had retired from international duty earlier in the cycle, but Nagelsmann has brought him back for what would be Neuer’s fifth World Cup. Oliver Baumann, who started the majority of qualifying matches, is the odd man out. The decision signals that Nagelsmann values big-game experience over the continuity of the qualifying campaign.
A New Face in Defense
Perhaps the most intriguing call is at left-back. Nathanael Brown of Eintracht Frankfurt has beaten out the more established David Raum from RB Leipzig. Brown’s rise has been quiet but steady — his performances in the Bundesliga this season made him impossible to ignore. Raum had been widely expected to start, but Nagelsmann went with the player who offers more physicality and defensive solidity in one-on-one situations.
In central defense, Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck form the partnership, with Joshua Kimmich anchoring from right-back. The back four is experienced but carries a slight question mark about pace against quick transitions.
Midfield Shuffle Leaves Goretzka on the Bench
The midfield pivot has Felix Nmecha of Borussia Dortmund starting alongside Aleksandar Pavlovic. That means Leon Goretzka — a mainstay for years — begins the tournament on the bench. According to reports out of the German camp, Nagelsmann wants more ball progression and vertical passing through the middle, and Nmecha’s dribbling ability gives him an edge in breaking lines against a compact defense.
Pavlovic, still young but already a key figure for Bayern Munich, provides the defensive screen. It’s a pairing that leans toward control rather than sheer physical power, and it will be interesting to see how it holds up against Curaçao’s more direct approach.
A Star-Studded Front Four
Up top, Germany will field a quartet that most teams would envy. Leroy Sané, Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, and Kai Havertz all start. That’s almost 300 million euros worth of attacking talent on the pitch at once. Havertz leads the line as a false-nine, with Wirtz and Musiala roaming the half-spaces behind him. Sané stays wide to stretch the defense.
For Curaçao, making its World Cup debut, the mission is straightforward: survive the first wave, stay organized, and hope for a moment of magic or a set-piece chance. The team has no household names — most of its squad plays for mid-table clubs in the Netherlands. The one recognizable pair is the Bacuna brothers, Leandro (34) and Juninho (28), who both start in midfield.
Even a single goal would be historic for Curaçao. A point would be an earthquake. Germany, meanwhile, is expected to win comfortably — but Nagelsmann knows that knockout rounds are where his team will truly be judged. The opener is about making a statement without giving anything away.
Will this lineup steamroll the debutants, or can Curaçao hang around long enough to make things uncomfortable? Kickoff is Sunday, and Germany’s answer begins there.
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