Germany's Julian Nagelsmann has included Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer in his World Cup squad. - © IMAGO/UWE KRAFT

bundesliga

Germany host Finland in penultimate pre-World Cup friendly

26.05.2026

Germany host Finland on Sunday 31 May (8:45pm CEST) in their penultimate friendly ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Click here for Germany's World Cup squad

The game at Mainz’s MEWA Arena gives head coach Julian Nagelsmann an opportunity to fine-tune his preparations for the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the USA, which gets under way on 11 June.

Nagelsmann and his players depart for the USA on 2 June before taking on the co-hosts in their final friendly in Chicago four days later. The four-time world champions face Curaçao (14 June, Houston), Côte d'Ivoire (20 June, Toronto) and Ecuador (25 June, East Rutherford) in World Cup Group E.

Follow Germany vs. Finland below!

Germany

Sun, 31.05 18:45

Finland

Friendly
World Cup warm-up World Cup warm-up MEWA Arena, Mainz

The setting

This clash will be played at Mainz's Mewa Arena. Germany have played there three times previously, most recently against Peru in a 2023 friendly match, which the hosts won 2-0.

Tale of the tape

Germany have won 16 of their 23 matches against Finland, with their only defeat coming back in August 1923. The last time the two sides met was in August 2016, where goals from Max Meyer and Mesut Özil secured a 2-0 win for Germany. The match also saw legendary midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger earn his final international cap for Die Nationalelf.

Final World Cup preparations

Germany's clash with Finland is the first of their two warm-up games ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Julian Nagelsmann's side will also face tournament co-hosts USA in Chicago on 6 June.