Bayern Munich 2026/27 season preview: Can Vincent Kompany secure third successive Bundesliga title?
Bayern Munich will be aiming to win their third consecutive Bundesliga title in 2026/27, and their third under Vincent Kompany. Can they keep up the momentum they built last season, or will they have more difficulty in defending their crown?
Bayern Munich
2025/26 finish: champions
Pre-season results: 2-1 loss vs. Wehen Wiesbaden, 15-0 win vs. Rottach-Egern, 2-1 win vs. Jeju SK, 2-1 win vs. Aston Villa, 3-1 win vs. RB Leipzig, 4-2 win vs. Heidenheim
First three fixtures: VfB Stuttgart (H), Schalke (A), Elversberg (A)
What to expect?
The 2025/26 campaign was historic for the Munich outfit. They found the back of the net a record 122 times in the Bundesliga, racking up 89 points, while they completed a league and DFB Cup double. And season has already started as the last one ended, with Bayern lifting another trophy in the form of the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup thanks to victory over Borussia Dortmund. That saw the reemergence of the famous cockatoo, and the Bavarians will hope that is not the last time it makes an appearance before the end of the campaign.
Pre-season has not been all plain sailing. The FIFA World Cup 2026 meant the likes of Harry Kane and Michael Olise returned to Säbener Straße later than the rest of the squad, while there have been injury issues to contend with. However, the hunger to win remains the same, especially given they have unfinished business in the UEFA Champions League following last season's semi-final exit.
Key new signing: Nathaniel Brown
The Germany international, who impressed for the national team at the World Cup this past summer, has been mainly brought in to strengthen the left-back position. Nevertheless, he has already shown there is much more to his game than just helping the back four, scoring versus Leipzig and Heidenheim as well as in the Supercup triumph.
See all Bayern's summer comings and goings here
Interestingly, he was deployed as a No. 10 in the latter encounter and did not look out of place amongst Bayern's star attackers. That versatility could prove to be even more crucial as the Bavarians aim to compete on three fronts over the next 10 months.
Key player: Harry Kane
Bayern's attacking trio of Kane, Olise and Luis Díaz were irresistible last term, racking up 104 goals and assists between them in the Bundesliga. It is the England captain, though, who led the charge, scoring a remarkable 36 times to win the European Golden Shoe for a second year.
Check out Bayern's new jerseys for 2026/27
The German top flight's highest scorer in each of his three seasons at the club, it feels as though Kane is breaking new records every single week. He has firmly established himself as one of the deadliest players in world football, and is firmly in Ballon d'Or contention thanks to his club and international exploits. With all due respect to the other options at Kompany's disposal, Kane is, quite frankly, irreplaceable.
Talking point
Bayern have quality all over the pitch, in particular at No. 10. In fact, Kompany's biggest dilemma may well be who to use in that position as the season progresses. Jamal Musiala is likely to have been the first choice, but he will initially be unavailable as he recovers from his recent health issues, while he will also require time to rediscover his best form.
Lennart Karl is once again training with the squad after his own fitness problems, as is Serge Gnabry. Meanwhile, new boy Ismael Saibari will be hoping to make an impact when he is given the opportunity, while Brown's performance in attacking midfield last weekend gives Kompany an extra option.
On the whole, the pressure will be on Bayern to match last season's extraordinary consistency. We will find out more in their Matchday 1 curtain-raiser against VfB Stuttgart - an early test of their credentials - where they stand this term.
Follow Bayern's Bundesliga opener against Stuttgart here!
