Germany boss Nagelsmann 'tingling' with excitement ahead of World Cup draw
Germany will find out their group-stage opponents for next year's World Cup on Friday after the draw in Washington D.C.
Julian Nagelsmann's excitement is palpable ahead of the draw for the World Cup, where he expects his Germany side to face "logistical challenges".
Germany were made to wait to seal qualification for next year's tournament, but they smashed Slovakia 6-0 in their final Group A game to top the pool and avoid a nervy play-off route.
With that victory, Nagelsmann's side scraped into Pot 1 for Friday's group-stage draw, beating Croatia to the 12th and final spot for top seeds hoping for a favourable set of opening fixtures.
It will be 12 years since Germany appeared in a World Cup knockout game when the next global FIFA event starts, but Nagelsmann admits the expectation around the draw of potential opponents brings excitement.
"You can feel the tingling in your body," the Germany head coach told SID ahead of the draw in Washington D.C. as his side search for a record-equalling fifth World Cup crown.
"The World Cup seemed a bit further away until now â not just geographically. With the draw, when we know our opponents and venues, it will feel noticeably closer.
"Anticipation will also increase and we can fully commit to preparations on all levels."
Indeed, Germany's last World Cup knockout game came in 2014 when they beat Argentina 1-0 in the final, thanks to Mario Gotze's extra-time winner.
That event was held in Brazil, with Mexico co-hosting the next tournament alongside the United States and Canada.
And the multi-country tournament presents Nagelsmann, as well as the other international head coaches, with a unique geographical challenge.
"This tournament remains a logistical challenge â for us and for our fans, whose support we are very much looking forward to at the World Cup," he added.
"We greatly appreciate how much they will be willing to go next year to be there."
Germany are ranked as fifth favourites to win football's biggest international prize, according to Opta's predictor model, which gives Nagelsmann's side a 7.1% chance of going all the way based on data-led simulations.
However, Germany have now appeared at four major tournaments (World Cup/Euros) in a row without reaching a semi-final at any of them, having lost in the quarter-finals at Euro 2024 last time out.
