USA and Germany national teams played a friendly match ahead of the World Cup. A friendly match between the USA and Germany took place in Chicago. Both teams fielded their strongest lineups. The game drew heightened interest on the eve of the world championship.
At Chicago's Soldier Field stadium, one of the most anticipated friendly matches ahead of the World Cup took place—the national teams of the USA and Germany faced off as part of their tournament preparations. The arena was nearly full, and the atmosphere in the stands resembled that of major international competitions. Interest in the game was fueled not only by the status of the opponents but also by the fact that for both teams it was the last chance to test their strength before the start of the world championship.
The German national team, led by Julian Nagelsmann, took to the field aiming to restore their prestige after disappointing performances in the last two World Cups, where the team failed to get out of the group stage. Germany's starting lineup featured Baumann, Braun, Schlotterbeck, Tah, Kimmich, Pavlovic, Nmecha, Wirtz, Musiala, Sané, and Havertz. The Americans, in turn, counted on Friese, Freeman, Robinson, Ream, Robinson, McKennie, Adams, Dest, Tillman, Pulisic, and Balogun.
Half an hour before the match, both teams were already warming up on the field, while fans actively supported their favorites. For Germany, the game in the USA was not only an opportunity to test tactical schemes but also an attempt to make up for recent failures. The American team, hosting the tournament, counted on the support of the home crowd and aimed to show a competitive game against one of the most decorated opponents.
The head coach of the US team remarked on the eve of the match that this game would serve as the final test before their World Cup debut against Paraguay. There was strong attention not only in the US and Germany, but also in other countries following the preparations of football world favorites. As russpain.com notes, interest in friendly matches before major tournaments is traditionally high, and team lineups and tactical decisions by coaches often become the subject of discussion among experts and fans.
In recent years, Germany has not advanced past the group stage at World Cups, which has increased the pressure on the team and the coaching staff. The US, on the contrary, is looking to use the home advantage and reach a new level in world football. It is important to note that such matches allow coaches to assess players' readiness and make final adjustments to the lineups. For comparison, a playoff match for promotion to LaLiga Hypermotion was recently held in Malaga, which was also full of intrigue and a fight for results — read more about this in the article about the key clash between Malaga and Sporting.
Traditionally, friendly matches ahead of the World Cup are seen as an opportunity for coaches to test different player combinations and tactical approaches. In 2026, interest in national team performances is especially high, as the tournament will be held in North America. Germany remains one of the most decorated teams in the world, while the USA is counting on home support and aiming to establish itself among the elite. Such encounters help not only to identify the strengths and weaknesses of teams, but also shape fans’ expectations ahead of the year’s main football event.
