- Jun 24
- 9 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Germany’s Immigrant Footballers at the
2026 World Cup
The German squad is one of the most diverse teams in the competition
By The Immigrant Times
Antonio Rüdiger, now with Real Madrid, has played for Germany since 2014. Waldemar Anton, a Borussia Dortmund player, made his senior debut for Germany in 2024. Malick Thiaw, who plays for Newcastle United, has been a member of the German senior team since 2023. (From left to right)
World Cup update (30 June 2026)
Germany exits the World Cup after losing to Paraguay
Germany has won both of its opening World Cup matches, defeating Curaçao 7–1 on 14 June and Ivory Coast 2–1 on 20 June. Among the players featured in this article, Deniz Undav has scored three goals, including both goals in Germany’s victory over Ivory Coast. Felix Nmecha, Jamal Musiala and Nathaniel Brown each scored against Curaçao, while Brown and Undav also provided assists. Nmecha won the penalty converted by Kai Havertz in the opening match. In the final group stage match, Leroy Sané scored the only German goal in his team's defeat to Ecuador.
For the first time in their history, Germany lost a World Cup match on penalties (3:4). For the second time in a week, Germany played the game their opponents wanted rather than taking control themselves. And, for the third consecutive World Cup, Germany failed to meet expectations. German midfielder and Mainz 05 player Nadiem Amiri congratulated Paraguay on their victory over the German side.
Introduction
June 2026: As the 2026 football World Cup continues in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, The Immigrant Times is exploring the migration stories behind some of the tournament’s leading national teams.
Germany, which won the FIFA World Cup in 1954, 1974, 1990, and 2014, travelled to North America with one of the most diverse teams in the competition. The 2026 squad includes 13 players who were either born abroad or have at least one parent who was born outside Germany. Their family backgrounds mirror immigration that has shaped post-war Germany.
The country’s football successes, not only at the World Cup but also in other international championships, would not have been possible without footballers whose families arrived from countries such as Turkey, Poland, Afghanistan, Serbia, Croatia, Ghana, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, and others.
For the purpose of this article, The Immigrant Times defines ‘immigrant footballers’ as players who were born outside Germany or who have at least one parent born abroad.
Immigration and German football
The influence of immigration on German football did not begin with the current national team. For decades, players with family roots outside Germany have helped shape the country’s footballing success.
One of the most celebrated examples is Miroslav Klose, born in Poland and raised in Germany. Between 2002 and 2014, Klose scored a record 16 World Cup goals, more than any other player in tournament history until he was surpassed by Lionel Messi at the 2026 World Cup. He remains Germany’s most successful World Cup goalscorer.
Another fan favourite was Lukas Podolski, who was also born in Poland before moving to Germany as a child. During a national-team career spanning more than a decade, Podolski became one of Germany’s most popular players and helped the country win the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
No player has symbolised the changing face of German football more than Mesut Özil, whose family came from Turkey. Özil played a pivotal role in Germany’s 2014 World Cup victory but later became the centre of a national debate about identity, integration, and belonging following his retirement from international football in 2018.
According to Mediendienst Integration research, 50 per cent of Germany’s 2026 World Cup squad (13 of 26 players) have a migrant background. At the 2024 European Championship in Germany, the figure was 35 per cent. This proportion is significantly higher than in the general population. (Last year, just over 30 per cent of people in Germany had a migration background.)
Diversity in the German national football team
(Proportion of players with a migrant background in the German national team)
2026 Football World Cup: 50%
2024 European Football Championship: 35%
2022 World Cup: 42%
2021 European Championship: 39%
2018 World Cup: 35%
2016 European Championship: 46%
2014 World Cup: 26%
2010 World Cup: 48%
(Source: Mediendienst Integration Research)
Germany’s 2026 World Cup Squad
Players with migrant family backgrounds
(In alphabetical order by surname)
Nadiem Amiri
Born on 27 October 1996 in Heidelberg. His parents left Afghanistan during the 1980s and eventually settled in Germany.
Position: Midfielder
Club career: Amiri came through Hoffenheim’s youth system before playing for Bayer Leverkusen and joining Mainz 05 in 2024. Known for his technical ability and creativity, he has spent most of his professional career in the Bundesliga.
International career: Amiri represented Germany at the youth level and was part of the squad that won the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 2017. He made his senior debut in 2019 and was selected for Germany’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nadiem Amiri assisted Denis Unday's goal against Ivory Coast. In the knockout gama against Paraguay he converted in the penalty shootout.
Waldemar Anton
Born on 20 July 1996 in Olmaliq, Uzbekistan. He was born into a family of Russian-German heritage and moved to Germany with his parents in 1998 as part of the country’s Spätaussiedler programme.
Position: Centre-back
Club career: Anton progressed through Hannover 96's youth ranks before establishing himself in the Bundesliga. After several seasons with VfB Stuttgart, including a period as club captain, he joined Borussia Dortmund in 2024.
International career: Eligible to represent Germany, Russia and Uzbekistan, Anton chose Germany and made his senior debut in 2024. He was selected for Germany’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nathaniel Brown
Born on 16 June 2003 in Amberg, Bavaria. His father was an American soldier stationed in Germany, while his mother is German. Brown holds both German and American citizenship.
Position: Left-back
Club career: Brown came through the youth ranks at Nürnberg before joining Eintracht Frankfurt. His pace, energy and attacking instincts helped him establish himself as one of the Bundesliga’s most promising young defenders.
International career: After representing Germany at the youth level, Brown broke into the senior national team in 2025. He earned a place in Germany’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nathaniel Brown: Scored on his World Cup debut against Curaçao and also contributed an assist.
Jamal Musiala
Born on 26 February 2003 in Stuttgart, Musiala has a British-Nigerian father and a German-Polish mother. He spent part of his childhood in England and was eligible to represent both Germany and England before ultimately choosing Germany.
Position: Attacking midfielder/winger
Club career: Musiala began his football education in England before joining Bayern Munich’s youth academy in 2019. He quickly progressed into the first team and established himself as one of Europe’s most gifted attacking players, helping Bayern win multiple domestic titles.
International career: After representing both England and Germany at the youth level, Musiala committed to Germany in 2021 and made his senior debut the same year. He has since become one of the national team’s most influential players and was selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Jamal Musiala: Scored Germany’s fourth goal in the 7–1 victory over Curaçao.
Felix Nmecha
Born on 10 October 2000 in Hamburg, he has a Nigerian father and a German mother. The family moved to England during his childhood, and he spent much of his youth there. Nmeche holds both German and British citizenship.
Position: Midfielder
Club career: Nmecha developed in Manchester City's academy before returning to Germany with VfL Wolfsburg. In 2023, he joined Borussia Dortmund and became a regular in midfield.
International career: Having represented both England and Germany at youth level, Nmecha chose to play for Germany and made his senior debut in 2023. He was selected for Germany’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.
Felix Nmecha: Scored Germany’s opening goal against Curaçao and earned the penalty that resulted in another goal.
Forzan Assan Ouédraogo
Born on 9 May 2006 in Mülheim an der Ruhr, he is the son of parents from Burkina Faso and is one of the youngest members of Germany’s 2026 World Cup squad.
Position: Midfielder
Club career: Ouédraogo progressed through Schalke 04's youth system before joining RB Leipzig in 2025. Regarded as one of Germany’s most promising young talents, he has gained recognition for his technical skill and maturity on the ball.
International career: After representing Germany at the youth level, Ouédraogo received his first senior call-up in 2026. He was selected for Germany’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the age of 20.
Aleksandar Pavlović
Born on 3 May 2004 in Munich. His parents emigrated from Serbia to Germany during the 1990s.
Position: Midfielder
Club career: Pavlović advanced through Bayern Munich's entire youth system before making his debut for the club’s first team. His performances quickly established him as one of Germany’s most highly regarded young midfielders.
International career: Eligible to represent both Germany and Serbia, Pavlović chose Germany and made his senior debut in 2024. He was selected for Germany’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Antonio Rüdiger
Born on 3 March 1993 in Berlin. His father is German, while his mother emigrated from Sierra Leone.
Position: Centre-back
Club career: Rüdiger started his professional career at Stuttgart before playing for Roma and Chelsea. In 2022, he joined Real Madrid, where he became a key figure in defence and secured major domestic and European honours.
International career: Rüdiger made his senior debut for Germany in 2014 and has represented his country at multiple European Championships and World Cups. One of the most experienced players in the squad, he was again selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Leroy Sané
Born on 11 January 1996 in Essen, he is the son of Souleyman Sané, a former Senegal international footballer, and Regina Weber, a former German rhythmic gymnast.
Position: Winger
Club career: Sané developed through Schalke 04’s youth academy before transferring to Manchester City, where he secured multiple Premier League titles. In 2020, he returned to Germany with Bayern Munich and later joined Galatasaray in 2025.
International career: Sané made his senior debut for Germany in 2015 and has represented his country at several major tournaments. As one of the most experienced players in the squad, he was chosen for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In the final group stage match, Leroy Sané scored the only German goal in his team's defeat to Ecuador.
Angelo Stiller
Born on 4 April 2001 in Munich, his maternal grandparents emigrated from Croatia to Germany, and his mother is of Croatian origin. Stiller has spoken about maintaining a connection to his family’s Croatian roots.
Position: Midfielder
Club career: Stiller advanced through the youth academy of Bayern Munich before joining Hoffenheim in 2021. In 2023, he transferred to VfB Stuttgart, where he became recognised as one of the Bundesliga’s most effective deep-lying midfielders.
International career: After representing Germany at the youth level, Stiller received his first senior call-up in 2025. His performances in midfield earned him a place in Germany’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Jonathan Tah
Born on 11 February 1996 in Hamburg. His father emigrated from Ghana, while his mother is German.
Position: Centre-back
Club career: Tah started his professional career at Hamburger SV. After a brief spell with Fortuna Düsseldorf, he joined Bayer Leverkusen in 2015. During his decade with the club, he became one of Germany’s most reliable defenders and helped Leverkusen win their first Bundesliga title. In 2025, he moved to Bayern Munich.
International career: Tah made his senior debut for Germany in 2016 and represented his country at major international tournaments. He was selected for Germany’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Malick Thiaw
Born on 8 August 2001 in Düsseldorf. His father is from Senegal, while his mother is from Finland.
Position: Centre-back
Club career: Thiaw progressed through Schalke 04's youth system before becoming a regular in the first team. In 2022, he transferred to AC Milan and subsequently joined Newcastle United, where he continued developing as a central defender.
International career: After representing Germany at the youth level, Thiaw made his senior debut in 2023. He was selected for Germany’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Deniz Undav
Born on 19 July 1996 in Emmerich am Rhein. His family has Kurdish roots, and he grew up in North Rhine-Westphalia near the Dutch border.
Position: Striker
Club career: Undav started his senior career at several smaller German clubs before moving to Belgium to play for Union Saint Gilloise, where he became a prolific goalscorer for the club. After joining Brighton & Hove Albion, he returned to the Bundesliga and emerged as one of VfB Stuttgart’s leading attacking players.
International career: Undav received his first call-up to the German national team in 2024. His goalscoring form quickly earned him a regular place in the squad and selection for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Deniz Undav: Scored in Germany’s 7–1 win over Curaçao on 14 June and added both goals in the 2–1 victory over Ivory Coast on 20 June.
Sources: German Football Association (DFB); Mediendienst Integration; Merkur.de; Official player and club biographies; FIFA World Cup squad information and match reports
Further reading from The Immigrant Times: France's immigrant footballers at the 2026 Football World Cup || England's immigrant footballers at the 2026 Football World Cup || Belgian immigrant footballers at the 2026 World Cup ||
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