"Cologne's 19-year-old shooting star Said El Mala was a surprise addition to Germany's final World Cup qualifying squad, as head coach Julian Nagelsmann has picked his last squad of 2025 for his team's final two World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Slovakia. El Mala has played just nine Bundesliga games, remarkably only starting in two of those games, but four goals and two assists were enough to convince Nagelsmann he was worth taking a closer look at."
"Germany expects Nagelsmann and co. to deliver Leroy Sane is part of the Germany team for the first time since his move to Galatasaray, and Malick Thiaw returns after a two-year absence. Robert Andrich, Robin Koch and Maximilian Beier were all not called up, as was the case for in-form Bayern Munich youngsters Tom Bischof and Lennart Karl. After a big win against Luxembourg and a hard-fought away win in Belfast, Germany sit top of Group A but only on goal difference against of Slovakia."
Said El Mala, 19, received a surprise Germany call-up after scoring four goals and providing two assists in nine Bundesliga appearances, despite only two starts. The Krefeld-born winger joined Cologne in summer 2024 after a loan at third-division rivals Viktoria and has played four times for Germany's U21s. Head coach Julian Nagelsmann said El Mala should show a carefree and lighthearted side. Leroy Sane returns to the squad after his move to Galatasaray, while Malick Thiaw returns after a two-year absence. Several players, including Robert Andrich, Robin Koch and Maximilian Beier, were not called up. Germany meet in Wolfsburg ahead of qualifiers versus Luxembourg and Slovakia, with top spot and automatic 2026 World Cup qualification at stake.
Read at www.dw.com
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