Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann could use the Ghana game to test out some fringe squad members. - © IMAGO/JOERAN STEINSIEK

bundesliga

Germany’s final test: Will Julian Nagelsmann stick or twist against Ghana?

30.03.2026

The spotlight will fall on those players still fighting for a place in Julian Nagelsmann's 2026 FIFA World Cup squad in Germany's upcoming friendly against Ghana. Chief among them is VfB Stuttgart forward Deniz Undav, who, on familiar turf, has a point to prove on Monday (kick-off: 8:45pm CEST).

Taking place at Stuttgart's MHP Arena, the friendly match will be the first meeting between Germany and Ghana in over a decade. In fact, their most recent clash was a 2-2 draw at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which Germany went on to win in dramatic fashion. While it might only be a friendly match this time around, the outcome could prove to be decisive ahead of Nagelsmann's World Cup squad selection.

Many of the questions surrounding the upcoming friendly revolve around Stuttgart hero Undav. Despite being the top German goalscorer in the Bundesliga this season, he didn’t feature in Germany's 4-3 win against Switzerland - and isn’t guaranteed to start against Ghana either.

“We'll now see how we came out of this game and which players are fit,” said Nagelsmann after the Switzerland game. “Then, we'll see exactly which players are ready and who we can field [against Ghana]."

Watch: Every Undav goal this season

The Ghana game could also see Bayern Munich wonderkid Lennart Karl earn his first international start, following his impressive late cameo against Switzerland. The 18-year-old came on for the final half hour, and showed flashes of brilliance after replacing Leroy Sané.

Ghana, meanwhile, head into the match against Germany on the back of a humbling 5-1 defeat against Austria on Friday evening (27 March). Otto Addo’s side were thoroughly outplayed in Vienna, as Bundesliga stars Michael Gregoritsch, Marcel Sabitzer, Stefan Posch, Carney Chukwuemeka and Nicolas Seiwald all scored.

The African side have lost their last three friendly matches on the spin, but will be hoping for a strong reaction against a Germany team potentially without some of its star names. Ghana can call upon a quartet of Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 players, including Hamburg's Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer and Wolfsburg defender Jonas Adjetey - both of whom could feature in Stuttgart.

Follow build-up and live match coverage below!

Germany

Mon, 30.03 18:45

Ghana

Friendly
International International MHPArena, Stuttgart

Alexander Nübel on representing Germany in Stuttgart

"I'm extremely happy," said VfB's custodian at Sunday's pre-match press conference. "It's practically my living room. Friends and family are there, so I can hardly wait to play."

Julian Nagelsmann on facing Ghana

"I expect them to try and sit deep and then create chances with their three fast players up front. I don't think they'll press high or try to have possession of the ball much."

2:05

Watch: Undav's first 11 goals of the season

Undav to feature

Nagelsmann confirmed that Undav - who has scored three goals in six games for Germany - will feature against Ghana, but didn't give any hints away as to whether Stuttgart's goal-getter would start.

0:12

Watch: Save of the year from Nübel?

Stuttgart's Nübel to start

"Alexander Nübel will start in goal," Nagelsmann revealed at his pre-match press conference on Sunday. "It's a reward for the good performances he's been showing for a long time at Stuttgart."

Stiller seizes chance

Despite initially missing out on selection from Julian Nagelsmann's squad, Angelo Stiller may have played himself into contention for the World Cup after a stellar performance against Switzerland. A latecomer to Germany's camp, who was drafted in after injuries to position-competitors Felix Nmecha and Aleksandar Pavlović, Nagelsmann praised the Stuttgart midfielder's performance, lauding after the 4-3 victory: "Angelo was superb on the ball, very calm, and that is his big strength – he very rarely gets nervous when he has control of the ball."

Which Ghanaians are playing in Germany?

There are currently seven Ghanaians playing their trade in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga. Jonas Adjetey (Wolfsburg), Derrick Köhn (Union Berlin) and Patric Pfeiffer (Darmstadt) are in the current squad. Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer (Hamburg), Daniel-Kofi Kyereh (Freiburg), Stephan Ambrosius (Karlsruhe) and Christopher Antwi-Adjei (Schalke) have each represented Ghana previously.

Ghana form

Ghana, meanwhile, have lost their last three games, with their most recent defeat against Austria on Friday. They did, though, enjoy an impressive World Cup qualifying campaign having won five and drawn one of their six qualifiers in 2025.

Recent form

Germany have won each of their last six games, which yielded four clean sheets. Prior to Friday's 4-3 victory over Switzerland, Julian Nagelsmann's side won five straight qualification games to secure their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In their current run, Germany have scored 20 goals and conceded four.

Florian Wirtz on his star performance

"It was probably my best international match. I'd be lying if I said I meant to place the ball exactly there for my first goal - I just wanted to get it on target, but it wasn't intentional."

Julian Nagelsmann on beating Switzerland

"We created a lot of chances against a team that only conceded two goals in qualifying and hadn't lost in 2025. They scored a lot of goals from their few chances, but we still came back well twice."

Lennart Karl's senior Germany debut

The teenager replaced Leroy Sané in the 68th minute and played a role in Germany's 85th minute winner. Showing flashes of his exceptional talent, Karl caused the Swiss defence all sorts of problems, twice weaving his way into the box before pulling the ball back for a team-mate.

Germany overcome Swiss challenge

In a back-and-forth game, Germany eventually overcame Switzerland on Friday night 4-3, thanks to two second-half stunners from Florian Wirtz. The win ended an 18-year wait for a win over Germany's neighbours and ended Switzerland's 10-game unbeaten run.

Tale of the tape

On their way to lifting the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Miroslav Klose's 71st-minute equaliser secured a valuable point in Group G - their last meeting against Ghana - after Joachim Löw's side found themselves behind following Mario Götze's opener. In their only three clashes, Germany are unbeaten (W2, D1).

The setting

The clash will be played at VfB Stuttgart's MHP Arena. Germany have lost their last two games here (vs. France in June 2025 and vs. Spain in July 2024) - their last victory came against Hungary in June 2024.