BERLIN, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann has named a 26-man squad for upcoming friendlies against Switzerland and Ghana, handing first call-ups to two players while reintegrating several returning figures as part of the early World Cup preparations on Thursday.
The squad will assemble for matches on March 27 in Switzerland and three days later in Stuttgart, marking the first phase of a more intensive build-up toward the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Nagelsmann opted for a blend of established internationals and emerging talent. Bayern Munich duo Lennart Karl and Jonas Urbig have been included for the first time, reflecting a gradual introduction of younger players into the senior setup. Urbig's selection follows a season in which he has proved a reliable deputy to Manuel Neuer.
Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav returns to the squad after strong attacking performances, having outscored all other German forwards in the Bundesliga this season. Arsenal forward Kai Havertz is also back following a lengthy absence due to injury, while Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger rejoins the defensive unit after recovering from fitness issues.
The inclusion of Leeds United's Anton Stach stands out as the most unexpected decision. Nagelsmann had previously indicated that the midfielder offers qualities suited to a central role with the game in front of him rather than relying on aerial strength or physical duels, yet still brought him into a competitive group of midfield options.
In central midfield, Stach joins Leon Goretzka, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Felix Nmecha and Pascal Gross as candidates for roles in a double pivot system. The coach had signaled in advance that some selection decisions might not be widely understood, though the final list produced only limited surprises.
Several players miss out. Jamal Musiala has been omitted as a precaution due to fitness concerns, with no risks taken regarding his recovery. Others absent from the squad include Angelo Stiller, Maximilian Mittelstadt, Nadiem Amiri, Jonathan Burkardt and Said El Mala.
The defensive structure features options such as Nico Schlotterbeck, Jonathan Tah and David Raum, while Nathaniel Brown provides an alternative on the left. Josha Vagnoman has been selected as cover for Joshua Kimmich on the right flank.
Germany squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (TSG Hoffenheim), Alexander Nubel (VfB Stuttgart), Jonas Urbig (FC Bayern Munich)
Defenders: Jonathan Tah, Joshua Kimmich (both FC Bayern Munich), Waldemar Anton, Nico Schlotterbeck (both Borussia Dortmund), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Nathaniel Brown (Eintracht Frankfurt), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle United), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Josha Vagnoman (VfB Stuttgart)
Midfielders: Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Lennart Karl (all FC Bayern Munich), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Jamie Leweling (VfB Stuttgart), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool), Pascal Gross (Brighton & Hove Albion), Leroy Sane (Galatasaray), Anton Stach (Leeds United)
Forwards: Deniz Undav (VfB Stuttgart), Nick Woltemade (Newcastle United), Kevin Schade (FC Brentford), Kai Havertz (Arsenal) ■
