Germany has delayed its World Cup squad announcement by nine days, moving the reveal from May 12 to May 21. The postponement allows coach Julian Nagelsmann to assess injured players and account for the final rounds of the Bundesliga and the German Cup final.
Gathering the squad has also been pushed back to May 27. The Bundesliga concludes on May 16, and the German Cup final between Bayern Munich and Stuttgart-likely featuring many national team candidates-is set for May 23.
World Cup preparations were originally scheduled to begin in Herzogenaurach on May 25, but Nagelsmann is expected to grant Bayern and Stuttgart players extra rest. If Bayern reaches the Champions League final on May 30, its German players would join the national team afterward.
Germany will play warm-up friendlies against Finland on May 31 and the United States on June 6. In Group E, the four-time champion will face Ivory Coast, Ecuador, and newcomer Curaçao.
Bayern forward Serge Gnabry has been ruled out of the tournament, while young teammate Lennart Karl is racing to regain fitness.