Berlin, Germany – Ilkay Gundogan, the former captain of the German national team, expressed his confidence in the ability of “Die Mannschaft” to perform strongly during the 2026 World Cup, stressing that the team has the potential to compete with the top teams and achieve surprises in the tournament.
The 2026 World Cup will kick off on June 11 and continue until July 19, with 48 teams participating for the first time in the tournament’s history.
The German national team is in Group E, along with the national teams of Curaçao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador.
Gundogan told the German newspaper Bild: “I think Germany is capable of being one of the surprises of the World Cup. The team has developed a lot in the past period and has become more ready to compete at the highest level.”
He added: “The progress the team has made recently gives us confidence in our ability to play an influential role in the tournament, and the quality of the players allows us to face any team and achieve victory over them.”
He pointed out that the team has outstanding players in all positions, which provides multiple solutions and options for the coaching staff during different matches.
Regarding the goalkeeper position, he said: “Manuel Neuer’s return is a big boost for the team, despite some questions about his physical readiness, but we also have Oliver Baumann, a goalkeeper who can make an impact when needed.”
Regarding the top contenders for the title, Gundogan explained: “Spain seems to be the strongest candidate given the level they have shown in recent years, followed by France thanks to the great quality they have in their roster of players. I also expect England to put on a very strong tournament.”
