Kai Havertz

Kai Havertz is a confirmed forward in Germany's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, named by Julian Nagelsmann on 21 May 2026 alongside Nick Woltemade, Maximilian Beier and Deniz Undav in the forward group. The Arsenal forward is 27 at kick-off and brings 57 senior Germany caps and 21 international goals into the squad as of 30 March 2026, making this his second World Cup after the group-stage exit at Qatar 2022.

Germany face Curacao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador in Group E, opening against Curacao at NRG Stadium in Houston on 14 June. Nagelsmann's side qualified by winning UEFA Group A on 17 November 2025. Havertz is named in the 26-man squad announced on 21 May 2026 in the forward group, an Arsenal striker heading into his second senior World Cup.

Havertz is a technically gifted, two-footed attacking forward known for refined control, passing skills and positional fluidity, with technical versatility as a 'nine-and-a-half' and spatial awareness at the core of his profile. He leads the line, drops into the number 10 space to combine with teammates and finishes inside the box.

That centre-forward brief fits Nagelsmann's 4-1-3-2. After his move to Arsenal, Havertz has been increasingly used as a striker due to his aerial presence — 21 Germany goals fit a top-of-the-shape role rather than wide-channel work.

Germany sit in Tier 2 at £24m within the game's £200m card budget. Group E opens against Curacao at NRG Stadium in Houston on 14 June, with Ivory Coast and Ecuador to follow.

Havertz's contribution to that £24m call is the listed striker role: aerial presence, two-footed control and 21 Germany goals from a centre-forward who can drop into the number 10 space. The forward brief gives the £24m slot a direct centre-forward angle.