WC Qualification Europe
Germany
N. Ireland
By Simo Frigolé@kettusport

Serge Gnabry cleared to play against Northern Ireland

Serge Gnabry will be returning to action for Germany's second World Cup qualifying match, following an injury suffered on Thursday against Slovakia.
Serge Gnabry in possession of the ball during Germany's World Cup qualifier against Slovakia, 4. September 2025.
Serge Gnabry in possession of the ball during Germany's World Cup qualifier against Slovakia, 4. September 2025.(Photo by Lars Baron / Getty Images)

Sky reports that Serge Gnabry will be eligible to play for Germany in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland on Sunday evening. This is despite an arm injury that he suffered in the 0-2 defeat to Slovakia in Bratislava on Thursday.

Gnabry reportedly suffered the injury in the first half. He was seen wearing an arm cuff during the first 20 minutes of the second half, before ultimately being replaced at RAM by Borussia Dortmund winger Karim Adeyemi in the sixty-sixth minute.

It should be mentioned that he suffered a similar injury in his forearm during a DFB-Pokal match against SC Preußen Münster in September 2023, one that left him out for a few weeks.

Despite the injury, Gnabry finished 28/30 in passing, 1/1 on long balls, 1/2 on dribble attempts, and 3/7 on ground duels. He avoids being the second German player to leave the squad during this transfer window, as Niclas Füllkrug had to be replaced by Maximilian Beier earlier this week.

Germany faces Northern Ireland, who won their opening qualifier in Luxembourg, at the RheinEnergie Stadion in Köln on Sunday evening; kickoff for that match is set for 20:45 (CET).

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