Jonathan Tah, defender of the German national team, confirmed that his team aims to start strong in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, pointing out that the Slovakian team should not be underestimated despite the differences.

Tah explained that the team’s goal is clear: to qualify convincingly and win matches with confidence, giving the team a strong morale boost on the way to the finals.

Meanwhile, striker Serge Gnabry emphasized the importance of the journey itself, explaining that the team’s development together and achieving the best results is what makes the difference, not just qualifying.

The German team, four-time World Cup champions, begins its qualifying campaign on Thursday against Slovakia in the capital Bratislava, before hosting Northern Ireland on Sunday in Cologne.

Germany’s group also includes Luxembourg, and the group winner qualifies directly for the 2026 World Cup scheduled to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Although Slovakia is not among Europe’s top teams, Tah confirmed that the opening match will be tough, especially since it is played away.

He pointed out that the Slovakian team includes some players with international experience, which increases the difficulty of the encounter, stressing that dealing with it seriously is the key to a proper start towards qualification.