Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade stated he was “relieved” to attain Germany’s opening objective of their 6-0 dwelling win over Slovakia to achieve the 2026 World Cup.
Prolific at youth stage, Woltemade joined the Magpies for £69 million after making his senior international debut in June and netted 4 occasions in Die Mannschaft’s remaining three matches of their qualifying marketing campaign.
“We performed rather well, leaving nothing to probability from the primary second to the final,” stated Woltemade, whose aspect began above Slovakia on objective distinction in Leipzig.
“We have been inventive and proactive. It was definitely enjoyable to look at. It’s been a really emotional yr for me. It’s all the time nice to play for Germany; I’ve gone by each youth group, now I’m on the high, and we’re going to the World Cup.”
Germany vs Slovakia: Woltemade ‘enjoyable’
Germany misplaced 2-0 in Slovakia of their opening match in Group A however have received all 5 of their qualifiers since, though they virtually fell behind in Luxembourg on Friday earlier than Woltemade scored two second-half objectives of their 2-0 win.
The 23-year-old transformed from Joshua Kimmich’s cross within the 18th minute of the decider, with Serge Gnabry and two objectives from Leroy Sane giving Germany a commanding half-time lead earlier than Ridle Baku and debutant Assan Ouedraogo added to the scoreline after the break.
“At that second, I’m merely relieved,” Woltemade stated of his header. I noticed Joshua’s [cross], I had no defender [marking me], the ball got here in properly and I put it away
“I feel you could possibly see our high quality at present, and it was lots of enjoyable.”
The outcome means Slovakia are within the play-offs, whereas Germany head on to the finals, which begin in June and shall be co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.
Newcastle are subsequent in motion at dwelling to Manchester Metropolis within the Premier League on Saturday (17:30 GMT).
Germany group vs Slovakia
Germany suffered a serious blow on the eve of their sport towards Luxembourg when Kimmich suffered an ankle subject in coaching, however the captain was again after remaining an unused substitute in Gasperich.
Centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck additionally returned from damage as a starter this time.
Germany beginning XI: Oliver Baumann, Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, Nico Schlotterbeck, David Raum, Leroy Sane, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Serge Gnabry, Leon Goretzka, Florian Wirtz, Nick Woltemade
Germany substitutes: Malick Thiaw, Waldemar Anton, Jamie Leweling, Assan Ouedraogo, Jonathan Burkardt, Alexander Nubel, Felix Nmecha, Karim Adeyemi, Kevin Schade, Nathaniel Brown, Finn Dahmen, Ridle Baku
September 4: Slovakia 2-0 Germany
September 7: Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland
October 10: Germany 4-0 Luxembourg
October 13: Northern Ireland 0-1 Germany
November 14: Luxembourg 0-2 Germany
November 17: Germany 6-0 Slovakia
When is the draw for the 2026 World Cup finals?
The draw for the World Cup finals will happen on December 5 2025 on the Kennedy Middle in Washington DC, with the ceremony beginning at 17:00 GMT (12:00 ET/ 09:00 PT).
The match runs from June 11 till July 19 2026.
2026 World Cup playoffs dates
The highest group from every of the 12 European Qualifier teams proceeds robotically to the finals, which shall be expanded to 48 groups.
The 12 runners-up in every group will be a part of 4 Nations League groups within the one-legged play-off ties, which shall be drawn from pots based mostly on groups’ data throughout the marketing campaign.
The semi-finals will happen on March 26, adopted by the finals on March 31 2026.
When is the draw for the 2026 World Cup playoffs?
The play-off draw will happen on Thursday, November 20 at 12:00 GMT (07:00 ET / 04:00 PT).
