Germany lineup vs. USA: Predicted XI for World Cup warm-up fixture

Germany will have to cope without Lennart Karl for their 2026 World Cup warm-up fixture against the USA in Texas on Saturday.

The 18-year-old Bayern Munich winger was taken to hospital to undergo tests after suffering a muscle fibre tear in the back of his left thigh during a training session and has since been ruled out of the World Cup. RB Leipzig midfielder Assan Ouedraogo has since been called up.

On a positive note, Deniz Undav has reassured supporters that he just feels “a bit of pain” after coming off with an injury scare shortly after contributing with two goals and an assist in Die Mannschaft’s 4-0 home win over Finland last weekend.

In the hope that Undav makes a swift recovery ahead of the World Cup, head coach Julian Nagelsmann may decide to rest the Stuttgart striker this weekend, and the same can be said for 40-year-old goalkeeper Manuel Neuer who is still recovering from a calf strain.

Oliver Baumann could therefore continue between the sticks, while a back four of captain Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, Nico Schotterbeck and Nathaniel Brown may remain intact, unless Nagelsmann opts to hand a start to Antonio Rudiger or David Raum.

Leon Goretzka is a contender to replace Felix Nmecha and start alongside Bayern Munich teammate Aleksandar Pavlovic in centre-midfield, while Jamal Musiala scored and played the full 90 minutes against Finland, so his minutes are likely to be managed this weekend.

Florian Wirtz could take his place in the No.10 role, which would allow Jamie Leweling to operate on the left flank, while Leroy Sane is likely to begin on the right.

After scoring in the Champions League final for runners-up Arsenal last weekend, Kai Havertz arrived in Chicago for Germany training on Tuesday and may feature in some capacity against USA, though Nick Woltemade or Maximilian Beier may begin as the central striker.

Germany possible starting lineup:

Baumann; Kimmich, Tah, Schotterbeck, Brown; Goretzka, Pavlovic; Sane, Wirtz, Leweling; Woltemade