Pascal Groß

Pascal Groß is the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder named in Germany's final 26 for the 2026 World Cup, announced by head coach Julian Nagelsmann on 21 May 2026. He is 34 at kick-off, listed in the midfielder group, and brings 18 senior caps with one international goal into the squad as of 30 March 2026. Joshua Kimmich captains the side that qualified out of UEFA Group A.

Groß rejoined Brighton from Borussia Dortmund on 2 January 2026 on a deal until June 2027, signed to play more regularly and put himself in contention for a 2026 World Cup place. His Germany trajectory is recent by senior-international standards: first senior call-up at age 32 in August 2023, debut on 9 September 2023 against Japan, and a UEFA Euro 2024 selection between then and the 2026 squad.

Groß is a versatile midfielder. He can operate as a central midfielder, winger, attacking midfielder or right-back, and is an accomplished set-piece taker for corners and free kicks.

His club arc carried him from a Bundesliga debut for 1899 Hoffenheim in May 2009, through Karlsruher SC and FC Ingolstadt, and into 228 appearances at Brighton between 2017 and 2024. He moved to Borussia Dortmund in 2024, reached the quarter-finals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, then rejoined Brighton on 2 January 2026.

Germany sit in Tier 2 of Goal Rush at £24m within the game's £200m card budget. The Group E draw — Curacao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador — sets the early fixture window, with Nagelsmann's confirmed 4-1-3-2 and a UEFA Group A qualifying win providing the team-slot context.

At player level, Groß adds a midfielder profile to that team slot. He is one of twelve midfielders in the final 26 and an accomplished set-piece taker, with a recent international ledger built on his September 2023 debut and a UEFA Euro 2024 selection.