Germany will be eager to bounce back after a shock defeat to Slovakia earlier this week when they welcome Northern Ireland at RheinEnergieStadion on Sunday.
The European leg of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers continues this weekend, with Matchday 6 kicking off on Sunday. The day will feature eight matches, with the action ending with five simultaneous fixtures, including Germany vs Northern Ireland at RheinEnergieStadion.
Germany could not have asked for a worse start to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, as they lost 2-0 to Slovakia, their first-ever away defeat in qualifying games for the World Cup. The defeat continued the losing run for Die Mannschaft, and Julian Nagelsmann’s men have managed only one goal in three games, facing defeat in each outing.
On the other hand, Northern Ireland zoomed to the top of the Group A standings by beating Luxembourg 3-1 earlier this week. The Green and White Army may have begun a winning run, but Germany will put it to the test this weekend. Michael O’Neill hopes his charges can continue a solid run of form and take a step closer to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Germany cruised to a 6-1 win the last time they hosted Northern Ireland, with Michael Smith scoring the opener before Die Mannschaft ran riot. The Hard Tackle looks closer at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Germany
Julian Nagelsmann has a new injury concern that is hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Germany’s head coach will be bereft of one player vs Northern Ireland on Sunday.
Niclas Fullkrug has withdrawn from the squad after picking up a calf injury. The West Ham United striker has joined Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Nico Schlotterbeck, Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz, and Deniz Undav on the sidelines.
Oliver Baumann will likely take his spot between the sticks, with Germany lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him vs Northern Ireland on Sunday. The backline will likely feature Joshua Kimmich, Antonio Rudiger, Jonathan Tah, and Maximilian Mittelstadt, with Kimmich returning to his defensive role after a disastrous debut for Nnamdi Collins.
As for the midfield unit, Pascal Gross should line up alongside Angelo Stiller in the double pivot, taking up Kimmich’s vacated spot. Florian Wirtz will reprise the no. 10 role, with Serge Gnabry and Karim Adeyemi being the two wide attackers. Finally, Nick Woltemade will lead the line for Germany against Northern Ireland this weekend.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Baumann; Kimmich, Rudiger, Tah, Mittelstadt; Stiller, Gross; Gnabry, Wirtz, Adeyemi; Woltemade
Northern Ireland
Like his counterpart in the German dugout, Michael O’Neill has witnessed changes to the squad during the international break due to fitness issues. Northern Ireland’s head coach will be without five players from the original group.
Paul Smyth is the latest absentee, with the 27-year-old attacker joining Pierce Charles, Daniel Ballard, Bordie Spencer, and Brad Lyons on the sidelines.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell will likely take his spot between the sticks, with Northern Ireland lining up in a 3-4-2-1 formation in front of him vs Germany on Sunday. The central defensive unit will feature Trai Hume, Paddy McNair, and Eoin Toal. Conor Bradley and Justin Devenny should be the two wing-backs.
The wide duo will provide width in the final third and protect the centre-backs. As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Ali McCann and Shea Charles. Finally, Jamie Reid will lead the line for Northern Ireland vs Germany, with Ethan Galbraith and Isaac Price providing creative support.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Peacock-Farrell; Hume, McNair, Toal; Bradley, McCann, Charles, Devenny; Galbraith, Price; Reid
Key Stats
- Germany may have lost the opening tie in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers against Slovakia. However, they have faced defeat just three times in 52 home matches in qualifying fixtures for the World Cup, the most recent of which came in 2021 against North Macedonia.
- Germany have previously played Northern Ireland 19 times, winning 13 and losing just twice (D4). The last loss came in November 1983.
- Germany are now without a win in their four most recent matches.
- Germany have never failed to qualify for a World Cup. They did not enter the inaugural 1930 edition, while they were banned from entering in 1950.
- With 22 international goals, Serge Gnabry is the most prolific player currently in Germany’s squad.
Player to Watch
Florian Wirtz
While Joshua Kimmich, Justin Devenny, and Jamie Reid were viable candidates for this section, we have picked Florian Wirtz as the Player to Watch for Sunday’s tie in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers between Germany and Northern Ireland.
An underwhelming start to the 2025/26 season continued for Wirtz earlier this week, as he produced a frustrating performance bereft of quality. With the poor form continuing, the young playmaker will be eager to get back on track and embark on a season-altering display this weekend.
Prediction
Germany 2-1 Northern Ireland
Germany’s form has dwindled spectacularly, and Julian Nagelsmann must oversee a course correction to avoid a catastrophic conclusion to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers. Returning to home comforts may be what the doctor ordered, and the home side should produce an improved performance.
However, Northern Ireland will take the game to Germany, and Michael O’Neill’s in-form team will not go down easily. That should ensure a closely-contested affair before the hosts clinch a win by the barest of margins. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Julian Nagelsmann and his charges.
