Germany Delays World Cup Squad Announcement to Give Injured Stars a Chance

The German Football Federation has delayed the announcement of its World Cup squad by nine days, pushing the date from May 12 to May 21 to accommodate injured players and the final matches of the domestic season.

Coach Julian Nagelsmann was originally scheduled to name his squad in Frankfurt, but the federation confirmed the postponement on Tuesday. The team's gathering has also been shifted back two days, from May 25 to May 27.

The decision takes into account the final round of the Bundesliga on May 16 and the German Cup final on May 23 between Bayern Munich and Stuttgart, a match likely to feature several Germany internationals. Nagelsmann is also expected to give Bayern and Stuttgart players extended rest before the team's World Cup preparations begin in the Bavarian resort of Herzogenaurach.

If Bayern advances to the Champions League final on May 30, any Germany players from the club will join the national team camp late.

Germany will play two World Cup warmup matches: against Finland in Mainz on May 31 and against the United States in Chicago on June 6.

The four-time champion has been drawn into Group E alongside Ivory Coast, Ecuador, and World Cup debutant Curacao.

Bayern forward Serge Gnabry has been ruled out of the tournament, while his young Bayern teammate Lennart Karl is in a race to recover in time.