FRANKFURT, March 25 - Germany forward Kai Havertz is back to full fitness after more than a year sidelined by injuries and aims to help restore Germany’s football legacy at the 2026 World Cup.
Havertz, 26, missed all of Germany’s 2023 internationals due to a series of setbacks-starting with a February 2023 injury that kept him out for three and a half months, followed by a knee relapse. He returned to action for Premier League leaders Arsenal in January after being out since August.
"I now feel completely fit," Havertz said ahead of Germany’s friendlies against Switzerland and Ghana. "I need a game or two from the start to hit 100%, but I can last 90 minutes."
He credits Arsenal’s demanding schedule across the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League as ideal preparation for the World Cup. "I want to be successful at this World Cup and lead the way," he added.
Germany, seeking redemption after early exits in 2018 and 2022, opens its 2026 campaign on June 14 in Houston against Curacao, followed by matches in Toronto versus Ivory Coast and New York versus Ecuador.