The spot in Group A of the 2026 World Cup will be decided at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, where Germany and Slovakia will face off. By Tuesday evening, all the teams that have automatically qualified for the 2026 World Cup will be known.
German national football team
Germany could not have expected a worse start to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, losing 2-0 to Slovakia. However, Julian Nagelsmann’s team has been impressive since then, winning four games in a row, scoring ten goals and conceding only one. This series of results has put the ‘Bundesmaschine’ in first place in Group A, ahead of Slovakia on goal difference.
Julian Nagelsmann has a new problem with his squad. The German team’s head coach is concerned about the physical condition of Nico Schlotterbeck and captain Joshua Kimmich, who are recovering from ankle injuries.
Probable line-up (4-2-3-1): Baumann; Baku, Tah, Anton, Raum; Goretzka, Pavlovic; Gnabry, Wirtz, Sané; Vollertmann
Slovakia national football team
The Falcons got off to a flying start in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, beating Germany in the first round. However, last month’s defeat to Northern Ireland left Francesco Calzona’s team behind the German national team on goal difference, making Monday’s match a must-win.
Slovakia beat Germany 2-0 in the return leg, with goals from David Hancko and David Strelec.
Unlike his counterpart on the German bench, Francesco Calzona has no new causes for concern ahead of the trip to the Red Bull Arena. The Slovakian head coach has a full squad at his disposal.
Martin Dubravka will retain his usual place in goal. Slovakia will line up in a 4-3-3 formation against Germany. Norbert Gyömbér, David Hancko, Adam Hober and captain Milan Škriniar are expected to play in defence.
Stanislav Lobotka will hold the defence in midfield, while Matúš Bero and Tomáš Rigó will provide pressure from the central areas. Finally, David Strelec will lead Slovakia’s attack against Germany, with Lukáš Hraščina and David Duriš completing the line-up.
Probable line-up (4-3-3): Dubravka; Gombier, Skriniar, Oberth, Hanko; Bero, Lobotka, Rigo; Duris, Strelec, Hraslin
Germany Slovakia prediction
The battle is expected to be fierce, as automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is at stake. Neither team will leave anything to chance on Monday. A tense battle is to be expected. The battle in the centre of the pitch will determine which team emerges victorious.
Germany has demonstrated impeccable defensive strength, so the hosts should have enough strength to keep Slovakia at bay for a long time. Although the visitors will put pressure on the German team, they will fall just short of achieving the desired result.
Both teams will score.
Probable score: 2-1
