Julian Nagelsmann names new captains of Germany football team

Kimmich has captained the national team 17 times in his career.

Joshua Kimmich, a midfielder for Bayern Munich, was named captain of the Germany national team on Monday. This came about because Ilkay Gündogan, a veteran player, was one of several players who announced their retirement from international competition following Euro 2024.

When Kimmich assumes the role of captain for the next Nations League matches against Hungary on Saturday and the Netherlands on September 10, he will have the support of two vice-captains: Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger and Arsenal attacker Kai Havertz. Havertz will function more like a third captain.

Although the 29-year-old Kimmich hasn’t held the position consistently for Bayern or the national team, he frequently filled it when other players were hurt or unavailable. The last time he captained Germany in a friendly match was last year.

In 91 career international games, Kimmich has worn the captain’s armband 17 times. The German football organisation announced this captain & vice-captain information on Monday.

The previous year, before Germany hosted Euro 2024 where the team advanced to the quarterfinals before falling to eventual winner Spain, İlkay Gündoğan was elected captain by then-coach Hansi Flick. Prior to returning to Manchester City from Barcelona, he announced his retirement from international duty last month.

Julian Nagelsmann, the coach of Germany, stated that Kimmich was Gündogan’s “logical successor” as captain.

Since Euro 2024, two more players who were Kimmich’s colleagues at Bayern are no longer with the national team: attacker Thomas Müller and custodian Manuel Neuer. After the competition, midfielder Toni Kroos also quit football.

In spite of the well-publicized retirements, Nagelsmann has selected a UEFA Nations League roster that includes just one uncapped player, citing “enough changes.”

As Germany prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Nagelsmann also stated on Monday that he believes Marc-André ter Stegen of Barcelona would start in goal for Germany in place of Neuer. The fact that Ter Stegen has mostly served as Neuer’s backup during his international career, this move was generally anticipated.

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