The European leg of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers resumes this week with Matchday 5. Several national teams begin their campaigns in the first international break of the 2025/26 season. Slovakia vs Germany will be the eye-catching fixture in Group A, with the two sides aiming to kick-start their campaigns on a high.
2025 has not been a memorable year for Slovakia, as they have failed to win their four games thus far. The Falcons began with a goalless draw in the UEFA Nations League play-offs with Slovenia before losing 1-0 in the second leg to remain in League C. Since then, they have lost two more matches, and a challenging campaign in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers may be on the cards.
On the other hand, the previous international break was frustrating for Germany, as they lost to Portugal and France to finish fourth in the UEFA Nations League. The European giants were on a roll before those twin defeats, as they were building some much-needed momentum under Julian Nagelsmann.
The most recent clash involving Slovakia and Germany ended in a 3-0 win for Die Mannschaft at UEFA Euro 2016, with Jerome Boateng, Mario Gomez, and Julian Draxler finding the back of the net. The Hard Tackle looks closer at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Francesco Calzona has several pressing injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Slovakia’s head coach may be bereft of the services of five players vs Germany on Thursday.
Lukas Haraslin has left the camp after picking up a leg injury ahead of Slovakia’s latest game. Meanwhile, Calzona is sweating over the fitness of Ivan Schranz, Laszlo Benes, Ondrej Duda, and Matus Bero.
Marek Rodak should take his spot between the sticks, with Slovakia lining up in a 3-4-3 formation in front of him vs Germany on Thursday. The central defensive unit should feature Norbert Gyomber, Milan Skriniar, and Lubomir Satka. Matus Kmet and David Hancko will likely start as the two wing-backs.
The wide duo should provide width in the final third and protect the three centre-backs. As for the midfield unit, Duda will start if he is fit and available, joining Patrik Hrosovsky in the middle of the park. Finally, Robert Bozenik will lead the line for Slovakia against Germany, with Matus Bero and Lubomir Tupta being the two wide attackers.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Rodak; Gyomber, Skriniar, Satka; Kmet, Hrosovsky, Duda, Hancko; Bero, Bozenik, Tupta
Unlike his counterpart in the Slovakian dugout, Julian Nagelsmann has no new issues to worry about ahead of the trip to Tehelne Pole. The German national head coach will have a full-strength squad for Thursday’s tie.
However, Nagelsmann has made a few changes to the squad he picked in June, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Thilo Kehrer, Yann Bisseck, Robin Gosens, Leroy Sane, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Felix Nmecha, Tom Bischof, Deniz Undav, and Jonathan Burkardt missing out. Meanwhile, Finn Dahmen, Nnamdi Collins, and Paul Nebel can make their international bows for Germany vs Slovakia.
Alexander Nubel will take his spot between the sticks, with Germany lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him vs Slovakia on Thursday. The backline should feature Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, Antonio Rudiger, and David Raum.
As for the midfield unit, Pascal Gross and Leon Goretzka will likely pair up in the double pivot in the middle of the park. Florian Wirtz will reprise the no. 10 role, with Serge Gnabry and Karim Adeyemi being the two wide attackers. Finally, Nick Woltemade will lead the line for Germany against Slovakia at Tehelne Pole on Thursday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Nubel; Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger, Raum; Gross, Goretzka; Adeyemi, Wirtz, Gnabry; Woltemade
While Nick Woltemade, Ondrej Duda, and David Hancko were viable candidates for this section, we have picked Florian Wirtz as the Player to Watch for Thursday’s tie in the FIFA World Cup 2025 Qualifiers between Slovakia and Germany at Tehelne Pole.
The 22-year-old has been slow off the blocks since joining Liverpool, and returning to the comforts of his national side may bring the best out of him. With Julian Nagelsmann aiming to build momentum heading into next year’s World Cup, Wirtz will be a pivotal figure for Die Mannschaft due to his creative prowess. Expect the youngster to deliver the goods in the final third.
Both teams have been dreadful in their last few outings, and they will aim to get back to their best during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers. However, while Slovakia will take the game to Germany, the gulf in quality between the two sides should become clear with each passing minute.
Florian Wirtz and Nick Woltemade will deliver the goods in the final third, with the former pulling the strings in the final third. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for Julian Nagelsmann and his charges, taking the away side a step closer to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
