Germany calls up Cologne’s teenage star Said El Mala for World Cup qualifiers

BERLIN (AP) — Germany has selected Cologne teenager Said El Mal in the squad for World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Slovakia.

El Mala, 19, has impressed with four goals and two assists in nine Bundesliga appearances this season, mostly as a substitute. He played for the German youth teams.

“He said that El Mala must show us all his carefree and relaxed game,” coach Julian Nagelsmann said on Thursday. “We are monitoring the talent in the under-21 team and, in consultation with (coach) Tony Di Salvo, we want to give them the opportunity to showcase themselves in the senior team from time to time.”

Cologne player Said El Mala celebrates after his team scored the 4th goal during the German Bundesliga football match between Cologne and Hamburg in Cologne, Germany, Sunday, November 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Nagelsmann also remembered former Bayern Munich striker Leroy Sane, who now plays for Turkish side Galatasaray, and Newcastle United defender Malik Thiau after his move from Milan.

Eintracht Frankfurt defender Robin Koch was left out of the squad, while Bayer Leverkusen's Robert Andrich, Stuttgart's Angelo Stiller and Maximilian Mittelstadt and Borussia Dortmund's Maximilian Bayer were not called up.

Germany will face Luxembourg away on November 14, followed by Slovakia in Leipzig three days later. Slovakia surprised Germany with a 2-0 win in the first qualifying match, with both teams on nine points in Group A. Only the group winner directly qualifies for next summer's tournament.

Germany

Goalkeepers: Noah Atubolu (Freiburg), Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Finn Dahmen (Augsburg), Alexander Nübel (Stuttgart).