Germany World Cup 2026: Attacking Options A Good Problem To Have, Says Havertz

Germany head to the 2026 World Cup with a crowded forward line, and Kai Havertz views that depth as an advantage rather than a threat. The Arsenal player welcomes the competition for attacking places in Julian Nagelsmann’s 26-player squad as Germany prepare to chase another global title later in the month.

Nagelsmann has packed the group with forwards, including Havertz, Deniz Undav, Leroy Sane, Jamie Leweling, Nick Woltemade, Maximilian Beier and Lennart Karl. The head coach wants flexible options in attack, with several players able to operate across the front line and in deeper creative roles during the tournament.

Havertz underlined how he sees the situation among Germany’s attackers. We have many options [in attack], Havertz said. It is a very good problem to have. It is much better to have more good players than fewer in the team. That view reflects a general acceptance that no starting spot is guaranteed.

Across the forwards Nagelsmann has picked, Havertz actually has the fewest league goals in 2025-26 among those based in the top five European leagues. Yet Arsenal still trusted Havertz in major matches, and the national team coaching staff continue to see value in Havertz’s movement, link play and experience on big occasions.

Stuttgart striker Undav leads Germany’s attackers statistically. Undav has scored 25 goals in 46 club appearances in all competitions during 2025-26. Among Bundesliga players, Undav stands fourth in the scoring table, behind Harry Kane on 64, with Serhou Guirassy and Luis Diaz both on 26 goals.

Undav’s impact for Germany under Nagelsmann has been highly efficient. With six goals and two assists in that period, no player who has featured for at least 200 minutes matches Undav’s frequency of goal involvements. Eight contributions have arrived across only 342 international minutes, averaging one goal or assist every 43 minutes.

Havertz was also asked how Undav’s numbers affect the internal battle for places. There is variety. We need all the players and many capable of playing in different positions, Havertz said when asked whether he fearedcompetition from in-form Undav. His stats speak for themselves. In the national team he is an extremely important part. We, as players, know that. No one fears anyone. We have to function as a team together and everyone will be needed.

Germany’s first World Cup warm-up game offered another example of that attacking depth. While Havertz missed the match due to Arsenal commitments, Germany beat Finland 4-0 at MEWA ARENA. Undav struck twice and added an assist, while Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz also scored after a challenging first season at Anfield.

At club level, Havertz has contributed important goals despite modest overall numbers compared with some team-mates. The Arsenal forward scored seven times in 24 appearances in all competitions during 2025-26. Havertz’s most recent goal arrived in the Champions League final defeat against Paris Saint-Germain, where Havertz still achieved personal history.

That goal meant Havertz became only the third player to score for two different clubs in separate Champions League finals, joining Cristiano Ronaldo and Mario Mandzukic. Because Havertz played that final, the forward missed Germany’s opening friendly, but the coaching staff expect Havertz to be fully integrated for the remaining build-up.

Key attacking statistics for Germany’s forwards in 2025-26 highlight the contrast of styles and outputs between options such as Havertz and Undav.

Germany continue preparations with a high-profile friendly against co-hosts United States on Saturday. Eight days later, Germany start the World Cup in Group E against Curacao, with further group matches against Ivory Coast and Ecuador. Nagelsmann’s side carry several in-form forwards, and Havertz expects that depth to be central to Germany’s approach.