The German national soccer team meets Peru and Belgium in the first international matches since the World Cup preliminary round in Qatar. As the German Football Association decided, the South Americans will be the opening opponents this year in Mainz on March 25, followed by the neighborhood duel with Belgium in Cologne on March 28.
Until the European Championships at home in summer 2024, the DFB selection only has to play friendlies.
As the DFB also announced, national coach Hansi Flick wants to announce his squad for the two games on March 17th. “We’re really looking forward to the games – everyone’s dying for it to finally start again,” said Flick. The long preparation for the European Championship begins for his team. “We are looking forward to this tournament with great anticipation and want to develop a team that plays football with passion, enthusiasm and pride for Germany, which is attractive and successful,” said Flick.
New replacement in goal
“It is important for us to try a few things, and we will make bold and surprising decisions,” added the 57-year-old. “Sport Bild” recently reported that Flick is continuing to build on the veteran Thomas Müller, but wants to do without the 33-year-old in the first games of the year. The FC Bayern Munich offensive player, who himself had announced that he would always be available, should be given a break.
So far, no national player has announced his retirement after the World Cup. After captain Manuel Neuer (36) broke his leg, his longtime deputy Marc-André ter Stegen (30) is considered number one in goal.
Former world champion and team boss Rudi Völler will then return to the DFB selection, this time in his role as successor to director Oliver Bierhoff, who left the DFB after the World Cup.
Jamal Musiala, who was voted national player of the year by the fans, also stressed that he was looking forward to the upcoming games. “Because we all want to prove what we can really do, what quality we actually have in the team. As a team, we have to learn from the experiences of this World Cup and come out of it stronger. Such an experience can weld a team together,” said the 19 -year-old from FC Bayern Munich in an interview on the DFB homepage.
