Bundesliga Players Stateside!

Group A: Patrik Schick – Czechia & Bayer Leverkusen

I’ve gone for the obvious choice here but not without a good reason. Patrik Schick is Czechia’s main striker and has scored 25 goals for his country, including four in qualifying to get them to their first World Cup since their short trip across the German border in 2006. Schick, who is 6ft3in and 30 years old, is capable of playing as a lone target man but also comfortable operating in a partnership, and TSG Hoffenhem’s Adam Hložek is most likely to be that foil.

With 22 goals in 42 appearances last season for B04, Schick has been a reliable goalscorer at club level too, and could put himself in the shop window for a bigger move. He told FIFA in an interview earlier this week that this is probably his “only chance” to appear at a World Cup and is determined to give his nation the “experience of a lifetime”.

Elsewhere, watch out for South Korea’s Jens Castrop. Castrop is born in Germany but has a Korean mother and opted to represent their national team. He is a versatile player and has adapted well to Bundesliga football with Borussia Mönchengladbach this season having been signed from second-tier 1. FC Nürnberg last summer. However, being unable to speak Korean, he may struggle to make an impact in his first major tournament.

Group B: Johan Manzambi – Switzerland & Freiburg

I had to go with this bright attacking midfielder as I’m just such a big fan of his. Watching the Europa League final, it was easy to see his natural ability despite Freiburg’s difficulties on the day. Manzambi is only 20 and already big clubs – Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Napoli – have been linked with him. With quick feet, flashy stepovers and a powerful long-range strike on him, Manzambi is a bit of a ‘secret weapon’ for Switzerland at his first senior tournament. Fans and pundits are all very familiar with the core of the Swiss squad with Breel Embolo, Granit Xhaka and Ricardo Rodriguez in particular having been mainstays in major tournaments for the past ten years. My only question is whether he will be a starter; I’m inclined to believe that Murat Yakin will utilise Manzambi off the bench instead.

Other names worth mentioning in this group are of course the Canadian captain and Bayern Munich player Alphonso Davies, and VfB Stuttgart’s Ermedin Demirović, who represents Bosnia and Herzegovina and will aim to take a lot of pressure off the shoulders of the legendary Edin Džeko.

Group C: Bilal El Khannouss – Morocco & Stuttgart

Group C was an easy choice with only two Bundesliga representatives, both of whom are Moroccan. Bilal El Khannouss will be a familiar name to Premier League viewers, with the now 22-year-old midfielder making his loan move from Leicester City to Stuttgart permanent recently.

Having already made 35 appearances for the senior team, this will be his second World Cup. Although he was in the squad during Morocco’s legendary run to the semi-finals in Qatar, he only made his debut in the third-place playoff match. This time around, he will definitely be making his mark.

The other player representing the league is Eintracht Frankfurt’s Ayoube Amaimouni-Echghouyab. The 21-year-old right-winger joined the club in January and has impressed from the bench so far, forcing his way into the World Cup squad late. Born in Spain and having never represented either nation at youth level, he is completely new to international football and I would not expect him to be a big player for Morocco in this tournament.

Group D: Can Uzun - Türkiye & Eintracht Frankfurt

A player that I’m convinced belongs at the elite level of European football, Can Uzun will make his international tournament debut with Türkiye imminently. Eintracht Frankfurt’s rising star, still just 20, will be a vital option for Vincenzo Montella’s men in midfield, potentially lining up in the number 10 role which would force Arda Güler into a wider position. He bagged his first goal for his country on Monday in a warm-up game against North Macedonia, also providing an assist in a routine 4:0 win to claim Player of the Match.

Having been signed from boyhood club 1. FC Nürnberg in 2024, Uzun could be making the next step up this summer. Shining for Türkiye at the World Cup would bring significant interest to the young man, who has a market value of €50million according to Transfermarkt and a release clause believed to be set at €80m. Eintracht have him contracted until 2029, though, so would likely want to hold out for €80m if he performs well.

Another name to watch out for is USA’s Malik Tillman. Like Uzun, Tillman is born in Germany but chose to represent a different country, and also operates primarily in the number 10 role. The 24-year-old has had a strong debut season for B04 having signed from PSV last summer, and many fans of the USMNT have high hopes for him at this tournament and his ability to be a leading player in the long-term.

Group E: Bazoumana Touré - Côte d’Ivoire & Hoffenheim

Germany’s group now, so obviously keep an eye out for lots of players there, but two names from other nations popped out immediately to me.

Much has been said about RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomandé, who is being aggressively pursued by Liverpool already. Not much is being said about his compatriot who will feature on the opposite wing, Bazoumana Touré. The Hoffenheim man recently turned 20 and has been fantastic in his first full Bundesliga season, having joined last January from Swedish side Hammarby IF and featured sparingly in his first few months. With five goals and nine assists in this season, and the Europa League to look forward to next season, Touré has the opportunity to put himself on a lot of club’s radars.

Do I think he is as good or exciting as Diomandé? Not quite, but having two flashy wingers to rely upon to create chances will make for great viewing, and Germany have to be careful to not fall foul of Touré and his partner-in-crime.

Group F: Ellyes Skhiri – Tunisia & Eintracht Frankfurt

Lots of players to watch out for in this group, but I’ve gone for a national team captain with a wealth of experience this time. Ellyes Skhiri has been in the Bundesliga for seven years now, first at 1. FC Köln and now with SGE. A reliable and combative holding midfielder, Skhiri has a greater responsibility to his country as captain and can operate in more advanced or more regressive roles depending on the game state.

If Tunisia are to achieve anything notable in this World Cup, it will require big performances from this man. It was really a no-brainer to go with him in the end.

Elsewhere, watch out for Skhiri’s club teammate and Japan international Ritsu Doan, as well as Borussia Dortmund’s wing-back who sports the famous yellow for his country too, Sweden’s Daniel Svensson.

Group G: Arthur Theate – Belgium & Eintracht Frankfurt

I’ve had to go with yet another Eintracht Frankfurt player, but this time because he is the only Bundesliga representative in Group G.

Arthur Theate is a solid defender for his club, and has featured increasingly in the past two years for Belgium as the left-sided centre-back, making a name for himself on a bigger stage. Now 26 years old, Theate is likely to be a starter for his country at the World Cup and may be hoping to turn those performances into a move to a team playing European football next season. Aerially strong with good ground duel capabilities, Theate still achieved one of the worst xG conceded in the Bundesliga last year as the club struggled on and off the pitch. But anything can happen in a World Cup, and if Theate can bounce back it will serve Belgium well.

Group H: Álex Grimaldo – Spain & Bayer Leverkusen

Another group with a sole Bundesliga representative now, so I’m choosing someone slightly too well known for a ‘Ones to Watch’ article in Álex Grimaldo.

The 30-year-old star on B04’s left hand side looks to be on his way out the door this summer with rumours circling about a Juventus transfer and only one year left on his deal at the BayArena. With Marc Cucurella the clear choice as a left-back in Luis de la Fuente’s back four, don’t expect too much from Grimaldo, but with so much energy and technical precision, you cannot ignore his presence at the tournament either as an option from the bench.

Group I: Antonio Nusa – Norway & RB Leipzig

Now a name that has been part of many ‘Ones to Watch’ articles but has somewhat fallen off the radar recently – Antonio Nusa.

Two or three years ago, everyone was talking about Antonio Nusa, the teenager producing magic on the left-wing for Club Brugge. At the time, Erling Haaland told Norwegian media that Nusa was “exceptional” but warned not to put too much pressure on him. Since his move to RB Leipzig in 2024, his progress has stagnated somewhat, particularly after a knee injury in his first season kept him out for a few months.

His form for his club picked up nicely towards the end of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season, and has a price tag of between €35m and €45m according to Transfermarkt. Liverpool are rumoured to be interested, especially if they are unable to bring in Diomandé.

Michael Olise is another obvious one to keep an eye on, but you don’t need me to tell you that.

Group J: Ibrahim Maza – Algeria & Bayer Leverkusen

I could have gone for any number of Austrian players here given that 50% of Ralf Rangnick’s squad are based in Germany – Romano Schmid of Werder Bremen, Bayern Munich’s Konrad Laimer, or even new addition Carney Chukwuemeka from Borussia Dortmund.

Instead, I’ve gone in a different direction so that I can tell you all about Ibrahim Maza. Having already mentioned two upcoming 20-year-old attacking midfielders in Manzambi and Uzun, I figured I’d make it a hattrick. Maza is a born and raised Berliner, and came through the ranks at Hertha before leaving the 2. Bundesliga last season for the big time, B04 acquiring him for around €12m. One year later, and that fee looks like an absolute bargain. Maza featured 44 times this season, including 20 starts, registering just three goals and four assists but dazzling fans with his talent.

Silky on the ball, with incredible positional awareness and decision-making skills, Maza is already being linked with even bigger clubs, primarily Manchester City. He will undoubtedly play an important role for Algeria at his debut World Cup. Having been considered the country’s breakout star of their run to the quarter-finals in the 2025 African Cup of Nations, let’s hope he can handle the additional pressure this time.

Group K: Luis Díaz - Colombia & Bayern Munich

Being the only representative of the Bundesliga in Group K, this was an automatic inclusion for Díaz. However, I’m opting not to waste any more time talking about what an exceptional talent he is - Colombia’s star man has the weight of a nation on his shoulders already.

Group L: Luka Vušković - Croatia & Hamburg

To avoid the risk of going for Díaz’s club teammate and England captain Harry Kane, I’ve opted for someone whose stock is high, with a ceiling even higher.

Luka Vušković may have only been on loan at Hamburg this season, but the kid’s passion for representing the club seems unparalleled. He wears his heart on his sleeve, and defends as though his life is on the line. Those are qualities desperately needed back at his parent club, Tottenham Hotspur. Flashscore is already reporting that he doesn’t want to head back to London and is willing to entertain other offers from the European elite.

At just 19 years of age, the 6ft4 central defender is a menace in both boxes. He bagged six goals in the league as Hamburg comfortably avoided relegation in their first season back after a seven-year absence. If you think that’s good, he actually went one better in the previous season with seven goals while on loan at Westerlo in Belgium from his boyhood club, Hajduk Split. In January 2026 he saw off competition from Kane, amongst others, to win Player of the Season for the first half of the Bundesliga campaign.

His passion for Hamburg may have something to do with his older brother, Mario, having signed for Hamburg in 2021 but then being banned by the DFB Sports Court in 2023 for doping, running until November 2026. His family and many at HSV perceive this as an injustice, and Luka’s decision to join the club may have something to do with this. The fact that he plays in the same manner for his country says that it may just be who he is. Whatever the truth is, Vušković will do his best to announce himself on the world stage starting with Croatia’s opener against England on June 17^th.