Reports: Füllkrug not part of German World Cup squad
Striker Niclas Füllkrug will not be part of Germany's World Cup squad, the Bild paper and Sky TV reported on the eve of Thursday's nomination. The reports said that coach Julian Nagelsmann will not include the AC Milan player into his 26-player squad for the June 11-July 19 tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Füllkrug, 33, has 24 Germany caps and 14 goals.
But his last goal dates back to September 2024 and he missed all of World Cup qualifying for injury reasons. Füllkrug joined Milan on loan in January from parent club West Ham United. He expressed confidence that he would be part of the World Cup squad but has managed only one goal in 19 Milan appearances.
Sky also said that the VfB Stuttgart trio of Deniz Undav, Jamie Leweling and Angelo Stiller will be nominated and Sport Bild reported that Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha will be part of the squad as well. Youngsters Lennart Karl from Bayern Munich and Said El Mala from Cologne are reportedly also included. Nagelsmann has said he would talk to all players from a provisional squad of 55 before making the squad public.
These talks have reportedly also included Nagelsmann informing Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann that he will only be a back-up and Munich's Manuel Neuer first choice in a comeback from international retirement.