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23 May 2026, Berlin: Soccer, men: DFB Cup, FC Bayern Munich - VfB Stuttgart, final in Berlin's Olympic Stadium, national coach Julian Nagelsmann (l) laughs before the game with Bastian Schweinsteiger, former national team player and TV pundit. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa - IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the regulations of the DFL German Football League and the DFB German Football Association, it is prohibited to utilize or have utilized photographs taken in the stadium and/or of the match in the form of sequential images and/or video-like photo series. (Photo by Michael Kappeler/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Germany is now just two weeks to kickoff at the 2026 Men’s World Cup — and Julian Nagelsmann & co. have just two tune-up matches to prepare. Today, it will be a hosted friendly vs. Finland in Mainz; next week, against the USMNT in Chicago.
After months of sometimes uneven build-up, it is time to see where this Germany team is on the cusp of the tournament. Follow along below and join in for live match discussion with the rest of the Bavarian Football Works community!
Prediction
Germany 2-1 Finland. You just know there is going to be a ghastly defensive mishap early that rings the alarm bells for Germany, followed by a good 65 minutes of solid possession while struggling to make the incisive final third breakthrough. In the end, the pressure will be too much but leave questions to be answered.
But that’s what these games are for: working out the kinks. Who knows? Perhaps Germany will surprise, hit the ground running and look like a well-oiled machine.
Team News
Kai Havertz is busy with scoring goals in the Champions League Final, as he does, and Manuel Neuer is unavailable as he deals with his calf injury. The rest of the German squad should be available, but that will be two big misses for Julian Nagelsmann, requiring changes at both the center-forward and goalkeeper positions.
Could this be a chance to try out the attacking trio of Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, and Lennart Karl? Will it translate with an alternate striker, and could this also be an opportunity for Deniz Undav to grab the reins at the No. 9?
Match Info
Location: Mewa Arena, Mainz, Germany
Date: May 31st, 2026
Kickoff: 8:45PM Local time | 2:45PM EDT | 11:45AM PDT
TV/streaming: Fox Sports 2, Find Your Country
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