Kai Havertz, Florian Wirtz and Manuel Neuer could all be rested for Germany’s final World Cup group game against Ecuador on Thursday.
The 2014 World Cup winners edged past Ivory Coast last time out, and in doing so, confirmed a place in the knockout stage with a game to spare as Group E winners.
Surprisingly, this is the first time Germany have managed to get out of a World Cup group since being crowned champions on football’s global stage 12 years ago.
So with qualification secured and a last-32 showdown next Monday on the horizon, Julian Nagelsmann has the luxury of being able to make wholesale changes in order to keep his best players fresh.
The Germany head coach picked an unchanged team for wins over Curacao and Ivory Coast, but will be forced into at least one alteration with Nico Schlotterbeck ruled out for the remainder of the tournament with an ankle injury.
Antonio Rudiger replaced Schlotterbeck against Ivory Coast and is expected to do the same from the start against Ecuador, possibly partnering Newcastle’s Malick Thiaw in central defence.
Oliver Baumann could give Neuer a breather in goal, while the full-backs might be rotated with Waldemar Anton and David Raum taking over from Joshua Kimmich and Nathaniel Brown.
Leon Goretzka is pushing for his first start of the tournament after two substitute appearances. Nadiem Amiri claimed an assist off the bench in the win over Ivory Coast so could start in the attacking midfield role instead of Jamal Musiala.
Nick Woltemade is yet to feature at the World Cup but if Havertz is rested, it is likely that Deniz Undav will get the nod up front as he bids to draw level with Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race.
Predicted Germany XI: Baumann; Anton, Thiaw, Rudiger, Raum; Goretzka, Stiller; Sane, Amiri, Beier; Undav
Injured: Schlotterbeck
Time and date: 9pm BST on Thursday, June 25, 2026
How to watch: BBC
Venue: New York/New Jersey Stadium
