Germany qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by destroying Slovakia 6-0

Germany secured a place at next year’s FIFA World Cup by beating Slovakia 6-0 in the final qualifying match on Monday, hammering the country into submission with four first-half goals and sending their opponents into a play-off in March.

The four-time world champion, who crashed out in the first round of the last two editions of the World Cup, finished at the top of the group with 15 points, while the Slovaks came second with 12.

The Germans, needing a draw or a win to secure top spot, left nothing to chance and burst out of the blocks to take control early. Unmarked Nick Woltemade headed into the lead in the 18th minute with his fourth straight goal in the last three games for Germany.

Serge Gnabry should have doubled it when he burst into the penalty area, but his low shot was blocked by Slovakian keeper Martin Dubravka in the 25th. Gnabry made up for it four minutes later when he made it 2-0 with a perfect pass from Leon Goretzka.

An equally quick move saw Florian Wirtz put Leroy Sane through in the 36th to curl his shot past Dubravka and put the game to bed before Wirtz provided another assist for the winger and netted his second goal of the night five minutes later.

Slovakia, having defeated Germany in Bratislava in September, had no answer to the hosts’ relentless pressure.

«We played a really good match tonight. From the first to the last second we didn’t allow anything at the back and we were creative,» said striker Woltemade. «I hope you enjoyed watching us tonight. It’s great to play for Germany. We have now qualified for the World Cup.»

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The pace slowed after the break but substitutes Ridle Baku and teenager Assan Ouedraogo added a goal each, with the latter becoming the youngest player to score on his debut for Germany at the age of 19.

The Germans, who have qualified for the World Cup for the 21st time, the second after Brazil’s 23, have openly stated their goal of winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada, to rebuild their dented reputation as a global football power after their first-round eliminations in 2018 and 2022.

They have not reached a final in any major international tournament since winning their fourth World Cup in Brazil in 2014.

Published on November 18, 2025