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Germany’s head coach Julian Nagelsmann has opened up about the most emotional phone call he made while finalising his team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking ahead of Saturday night’s DFB-Pokal final between FC Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart, Nagelsmann revealed during an interview with ARD that it was Nadiem Amiri who had one of the most touching reactions. “Nadiem Amiri was already quite emotional because it was very late,” said Nagelsmann, responding to a question about the selection process from the 1. FSV Mainz 05 midfielder.

“He found out at the very last moment and honestly hadn’t expected to be included,” the coach explained. Nagelsmann recalled first meeting Amiri during their time together at TSG Hoffenheim, where they celebrated the U19 championship together in 2014. The national team coach fondly remembered that title-winning season with Hoffenheim’s youth side.

When Nagelsmann took over Hoffenheim’s senior Bundesliga team in February 2016, he continued to manage Amiri for nearly three and a half years. The pair eventually parted ways in 2019, with Nagelsmann joining RB Leipzig and Amiri moving to Bayer Leverkusen. “It’s a very emotional story. He was thrilled to receive the call, even though it came late. That made it all the more special,” Nagelsmann added about the 29-year-old midfielder’s World Cup selection.

Nagelsmann has brought Amiri back into the Germany squad after a long gap. Amiri first debuted for the senior national team in October 2019 and remained a regular feature for about a year. However, he spent almost four and a half years out of contention, from November 2020 until March 2025, before Nagelsmann recalled him to the fold.

Since his return, and whenever fit, Amiri has been a consistent part of the team. He notably scored as a substitute in Germany’s crucial 3-1 World Cup qualifier victory over Northern Ireland in September last year. Though he missed the October training camp and the November and March international fixtures due to injury, the Mainz 05 midfielder’s strong domestic season ensured his place in the final squad.

Nagelsmann intends to use Amiri as a dynamic substitute during the World Cup matches in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. The coach sees him as a game-changer capable of shifting momentum with his energy and creativity. When announcing the squad on Thursday, Nagelsmann specifically praised his former Hoffenheim protégé for this role.

“He doesn’t need time to settle; he’s instantly at high intensity. Nadiem always plays with passion and the drive to win. Whether it’s ten minutes or ninety, he gives everything. He’ll start on the bench, but he will definitely play,” Nagelsmann explained. The coach also commended Amiri’s scoring form for Mainz and his emotional drive, noting that his passion and aggression could lift the team’s tempo late in the game when energy levels begin to drop.

The national team will begin their World Cup preparations on Wednesday at the DFB Campus in Herzogenaurach. On 31 May, Germany will play their final warm-up match against Finland before flying to the United States. There, they will face co-hosts the USA on 6 June. Germany’s World Cup campaign kicks off on 14 June against tournament debutants Curaçao, with Ivory Coast and Ecuador completing their group stage opponents.

Nadiem Amiri: 2025/26 Season Statistics

Appearances: 35

Goals: 17

Assists: 4