U.S. Men’s National Team to Face Germany in International Friendly Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup
As part of their long-term strategic plan to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the U.S. Men’s National Team will take on four-time World Cup champion Germany in an international friendly. The match will be held at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn., on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 3 p.m. ET.
The U.S., ranked 11th in the FIFA rankings, enters the match on a 13-match unbeaten run. The team has not lost since a 2-1 defeat to Serbia on Jan. 25. The Americans are coming off two clean sheet friendly victories, having defeated Uzbekistan 3-0 on Sept. 9 and Oman 4-0 three days later.
In their second game of the September international window, the U.S. will host Ghana in another friendly in Nashville, Tenn. on Tuesday, Oct. 17, while Germany will travel to Philadelphia to face Mexico on the same night.
Footballing History:
Germany has a rich history in international soccer, producing some of the most storied teams, players, and moments in history, while winning the coveted World Cup four times. The European side has featured some of the world’s best players, including Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Mueller, former USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, and Lothar Matthaeus, among others.
West Germany, as they were known at the time, made history at the 1954 World Cup by overcoming an early two-goal deficit to defeat Hungary and win their first World Cup. In 1974, as hosts, they rallied from another early deficit to secure a victory over the Netherlands. Germany won their third World Cup in 1990, defeating Argentina in the final. In 2014, they became the first European team to win a World Cup in South America, beating Argentina in the final.
USMNT vs. Germany:
The U.S. has a 4-7-0 record against Germany in several memorable matches. The teams first met in 1993, with Germany registering a 4-3 win. They faced off in the World Cup for the first time in 1998, with Germany winning 2-0.
One of the most famous encounters between the two teams was in the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup, where Germany secured a 1-0 win. In 2013, the U.S. surprised Germany with a 4-3 victory in a friendly match. The most recent meeting took place in 2015, with the U.S. winning 2-1.
Recent Matches:
Germany has struggled to perform well in friendlies this year, with a record of 2-4-1. They started the year with a 2-0 win over Peru but suffered defeats to Belgium, Poland, Colombia, and Japan. They broke their winless streak with a 2-1 victory over France in September.
Manager:
36-year-old Julian Nagelsmann is one of the youngest national team coaches in the game. He became the second youngest national team coach in German history when he was appointed in September. Nagelsmann has previously managed Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig and most recently coached Bayern Munich.
Roster Details:
Nagelsmann has named a roster of 26 players for the upcoming friendlies. Most of the players are based in the Bundesliga, with Bayern Munich being the most represented club team. Thomas Muller, the top goal-scorer on the German team, will be a key player to watch. Gio Reyna, who plays for Borussia Dortmund, will face off against four of his club teammates.
The match between the U.S. Men’s National Team and Germany promises to be an exciting friendly as both teams continue their preparations for future international competitions.