Chris Fürich and Maximilian Mittelstädt, both from VfB Stuttgart, were left out of Germany’s final 2026 World Cup squad. They had made the cut for Germany’s first tournament under Julian Nagelsmann at Euro 2024, with Mittelstädt starting as left-back. Their performance levels stayed steady and they even improved in the second half of the season, yet they still failed to qualify. Nagelsmann described them as “tough cases” and said he was extremely sorry, without providing a specific explanation. Competition for positions likely played a role, including David Raum at left-back and Nathaniel Brown’s versatility, along with strong attacking options such as Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz.
"“Chris and Maxi have made good steps in the second half of the season, that's absolutely right. They are among the absolute tough cases,” the former Bayern Munich coach admitted (as captured by Bild's Stuttgart-based reporter Felix Arnold). “That makes me extremely sorry for the two of them.”"
"Despite maintaining their steady performance levels since 2024 and even taking some steps forward, they failed to make the cut for the 2026 World Cup. Their exclusion was so difficult that Nagelsmann did not even bother to find a reason for it."
"At left-back, David Raum is one of Nagelsmann's captains and Nathaniel Brown offers the flexibility to play in both full-back positions. Meanwhile, Germany has forwards of the ilk of Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, Jamie Leweling, and more."
"The twosome made the cut for manager Julian Nagelsmann's first Germany tournament during the European Championship in 2024 and Mittelstädt even began the tournament as the starting left-back."
Read at Bavarian Football Works
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