German national team calmly welcomed in Chicago; Nagelsmann tightens thumbscrews towards the 2026 World Cup

No big welcome for the German national team in Chicago: Only about two dozen spectators were waiting at the team hotel on Tuesday when the two buses stopped at the Waldorf Astoria in the chic shopping district at 5:50 p.m. local time. A young girl with a homemade flag stole the show, but only Nico Schlotterbeck and Alexander Nübel took the time for a few autographs. Sports director Rudi Völler was the first to get out, national coach Julian Nagelsmann was the last.

Immediately after check-in, the selection took a walk towards the beach of Lake Michigan. The journey – more than two and a half hours from landing to hotel, despite a smooth entry – underlined how demanding logistics become during the tournament in Mexico, Canada and the United States (June 11 to July 19).


After the quiet start to the week, Nagelsmann is tightening the screws: two completely private training sessions are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. Then Kai Havertz also joins the group. The striker traveled over after the lost Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain - in which he signed for the 0-1 - and thus completes the 26-man selection.

The final training will take place on Friday for Saturday's dress rehearsal (8:30 PM Dutch time) in Soldier Field against World Cup host United States. It will then also become clear whether Manuel Neuer has overcome his persistent calf complaints sufficiently for a return to action.

For Rudi Völler the trip has a special touch. During the 1994 World Cup, Chicago was Germany's base; In the eighth final against Belgium (3-2), the then 34-year-old striker scored his last two international goals in the 'Windy City'.