From U17 exit to U21 redemption: Here's how Germany’s five youth teams start 2026

Germany kicked off 2026 with narrow wins over Switzerland and Ghana as they start preparation for this summer’s World Cup. Meanwhile, five German youth teams played their first games of the new year. We’ll recap how each of them fared in the March international break.

U17 miss out in Euros and World Cup

The final round of the qualification for the U17 Euros took place in the past week. Germany started their campaign positively with a narrow win over North Macedonia, but drawing 1-1 with group hosts Slovenia complicated things ahead of the final group game.

With only the top team guaranteed an automatic qualification spot, France opted for a cautious approach in the first-half before scoring twice after the restart as Germany eventually finished the group in third place.

As a result, André Pawlak’s side are also out of next season’s World Cup in Qatar. Since winning the European championships in 2023, Germany U17 have failed to qualify for the final tournament twice, sandwiched by a group stage exit last year.

U19 through to Euros

The story was different for Germany U19 in their quest to qualify for the European Championship. Francis Onyeka, Otto Stange, and Montrell Culbreath helped Christian Wörns’ side to a top-of-the-table finish.

They only started their campaign with a point against Sweden after conceding an injury-time free-kick, but narrow wins over Greece and Austria secured their place for the upcoming tournament in Wales.

Since reunification, Germany has won this tournament twice. They reached the semi-final of the competition last year for the first time since their last triumph in Hungary back in 2014.

Elite League test for U20

Hannes Wolf’s side ended their U20 Elite League campaign with narrow wins over Czechia and Poland. Star players Max Moerstedt and Noah Darvich sealed the comeback win in Poststadion before Ruben Müller’s 90th-minute strike in Lublin.

Defending champions Germany finished second in the tournament. Their only two defeats came against Portugal, who topped the standings with an unbeaten streak.

U18 compete in 2027 U19 Euros qualifiers

While the U19 team were fighting to secure their place in this summer’s competition, Hanno Balitsch’s side played the preliminary qualification round for the 2027 tournament in Czechia.

Despite finishing with only four points in the group that consisted of Bosnia, Israel, and Austria, it was enough for Germany to progress to the next stage.

U21 top qualification group with big win

Following their 3-2 defeat to Greece in Braunschweig, Germany U21 had to reverse that scoreline when they met again in Athens. Including Germany’s 3-0 win over Northern Ireland in this international break, both teams are yet to drop points outside the head-to-head meetings.

And Antonio Di Salvo’s side used the opportunity perfectly as they’re now top of the group after a 2-0 victory in Greece on Tuesday. Said El Mala and Anton Kade scored their first goals at this level.

The remaining three rounds will take place when FIFA’s revised plan of a longer international break came to effect at the start of next season.