STUTTGART — Germany drew 1-1 with Ghana in an international friendly on Monday as head coach Julian Nagelsmann rotated his squad in a World Cup warm-up match, officials said.
The match, played at Stuttgart’s MHP Arena on March 30, formed part of both teams’ preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to the German Football Association and the Ghana Football Association. Germany made several lineup changes following a recent match against Switzerland, with Nagelsmann opting to rest key players and assess fringe options, Reuters reported.
Nagelsmann had signaled ahead of the game that rotation would be a priority, saying the team needed to “keep players fresh” after a demanding schedule, according to Reuters. He also handed a starting opportunity to goalkeeper Alexander Nübel, describing the selection as recognition for his performances at club level, local media reported.
The friendly was arranged after Germany’s initially planned opponent, Ivory Coast, was drawn into the same World Cup group, prompting organizers to seek alternative opposition, according to team officials. Ghana, coached by Otto Addo, provided a comparable test, with Nagelsmann previously noting their “strong transition play” as useful preparation for tournament conditions, according to statements released by the Ghana Football Association.
Addo also framed the fixture as a key benchmark for his side. “This is an amazing opportunity for us to test ourselves against one of the best teams in the world,” he said in a federation statement ahead of the match.
Both teams have already secured qualification for the World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico beginning in June. Germany were drawn into Group E alongside Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curaçao, while Ghana will compete in Group L with England, Croatia and Panama, according to governing body announcements.
The match in Stuttgart marked the final international fixture window before squads are finalized for the tournament later this year. Officials said the game offered one of the last opportunities for players to stake a claim for selection.
Further details on scorers and match statistics were not immediately confirmed by officials at the time of publication.
